An Ohio police officer, Connor Grubb, has been indicted on charges of murder, involuntary manslaughter, and felonious assault for the fatal shooting of Ta’Kiya Young, a 21-year-old pregnant Black woman, last August. Young was accused of shoplifting when Grubb and another officer approached her car. As she slowly rolled forward, Grubb fired a single shot through her windshield, killing both her and her unborn daughter.
Young’s family, devastated by the loss, called the shooting a “gross misuse of power and authority,” particularly given the minor nature of the accusation against her. Her grandmother, Nadine Young, expressed the deep pain her family has endured, saying, “It’s not fair. We don’t have her or the baby... It’s been agony, it’s been like a whirlwind of hurt and pain.”
Bodycam footage revealed the moments leading up to the shooting, where Young was confronted by the officers and asked, “Are you going to shoot me?” before Grubb fired the fatal shot. The family’s attorney, Sean Walton, argued that “In no scenario does someone shoplifting contribute to their murder by a police officer. She bears no responsibility.”
Some law enforcement groups argue that shooting at moving vehicles poses significant risks, and Blendon Township’s own use-of-force policy advises officers to move away from approaching vehicles rather than fire their weapons. The policy allows for shooting only when no other reasonable means are available to avert an imminent threat.
The indictment against Grubb has sparked disappointment from the police union, with Brian Steel, representing the union, stating, “Like all law enforcement officers, Officer Grubb had to make a split-second decision.” However, the indictment has led the police department to begin disciplinary actions against Grubb, who has been on paid administrative leave since the incident. The department awaits the outcome of the legal process before making any final judgments on Grubb’s actions.
Link: PBS
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