Ohio police officer charged in fatal shooting of pregnant woman

A police officer in Ohio has been charged with the murder of 21-year-old Ta’Kiya Young, a pregnant woman who was shot and killed last August.

The officer, Connor Grubb, faces charges of murder, involuntary manslaughter, and assault after a grand jury in Columbus found enough evidence to proceed with the case.

Ta’Kiya Young, who was about 25 weeks pregnant, and her unborn daughter both died in the incident.

The fatal encounter, captured on bodycam video and released last year, shows police attempting to stop Ms. Young from driving away so they could question her about a suspected shoplifting incident.

The video appears to show Ms. Young driving toward Officer Grubb, who then fired the fatal shot while ordering her to exit the vehicle.

Officer Grubb’s lawyers argue that he acted in self-defense, stating, “The evidence will show that our client’s actions were justified when viewed through the eyes of a reasonable police officer,” emphasizing that Grubb was struck by the moving vehicle.

The local Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) chapter criticized the indictment, calling it “politically motivated” and stressing the difficult, split-second decisions officers must make under extreme pressure.

“We stand firm in advocating for an impartial justice system that focuses on truth and facts, not politics,” said chapter president Brian Steel.

Blendon Township Police Chief John Belford announced that the department is beginning a disciplinary review process but emphasized that they are not yet making any judgments on whether Officer Grubb acted appropriately.

Sean Walton, the lawyer representing Ms. Young’s family, described the charges as a “solemn victory in the pursuit of justice” and a clear example of the urgent need for police reform.

He condemned the “unnecessary aggression” and “chilling commands” that led to Ms. Young’s death.

Ms. Young’s grandmother, Nadine Young, spoke to CBS News about the family’s pain over the past year, particularly for Ms. Young’s two young sons. “It’s been agony, it’s been like a whirlwind of hurt and pain,” she said.

The incident occurred on August 24, 2023, when the officers, initially at the scene for an unrelated call, approached Ms. Young in a parking lot. She was the mother of two boys, aged six and three, and was due to give birth in November.

Source-BBC