Ohio Police Officer Fatally Shoots Pregnant Black Woman in Parking Lot
Blendon Township, Ohio – The Blendon Police Department in Ohio released body camera footage on Friday, September 1, showing an officer fatally shooting a pregnant Black woman in the parking lot of a grocery store. The incident occurred two weeks ago when the woman, identified as 21-year-old Ta’Kiya Young, refused to exit her car and instead bumped the officer with her vehicle.
The release of the video comes after demands from Young’s family for the officer responsible for her death to be held accountable. “We demand accountability for two precious lives – Ta’Kiya and her unborn daughter,” said Sean Walton, a lawyer representing Young’s family.
Blendon Police Chief John Belford defended the officer’s actions, stating, “A theft suspect drove her car into one of my officers, and the officer fired a single shot through the windshield.”
Young’s death adds to the growing concerns of excessive force used by police officers in the United States. The incident took place in Blendon Township, located 15 miles northeast of Columbus, the capital of Ohio.
According to reports, police confronted Young after an employee at the grocery store accused her of shoplifting liquor. The recently released video shows an officer standing next to Young’s vehicle, repeatedly ordering her to exit. Another officer approaches the front of the vehicle, pointing a gun at the windshield and demanding her compliance.
The video footage shows Young turning the wheels of her car to the right, away from the officer. As the vehicle moves toward the officer, it strikes him in the leg, prompting him to fire a single shot through the windshield. The entire encounter lasted 25 seconds.
Tragically, Young later died at a nearby hospital, and her unborn baby daughter did not survive.
Both officers involved in the incident have been placed on administrative leave. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is conducting an investigation into the shooting.
This case has once again sparked calls for reforms in the U.S. criminal justice system. The incident serves as another tragic reminder of the need to address police violence against Black people and other minorities.
Reporting by Brendan O’Brien in Chicago; Editing by Mark Potter