Officer faces murder charge in shooting of pregnant Black woman

An Ohio police officer has been indicted on murder and other charges in the shooting of TaKiya Young a 21yearold pregnant Black mother who was killed after being accused of shoplifting last AugustYoung was suspected of stealing bottles of alcohol when Blendon Township police officer Connor Grubb and a fellow officer approached her car The other officer ordered her out Instead she rolled forward toward Grubb who fired a single bullet through her windshield into her chest The daughter she was expecting three months later also diedA Franklin County grand jury on Tuesday indicted Grubb on charges of murder involuntary manslaughter and felonious assault in the death of Young and her baby He is scheduled to be arraigned in court Wednesday A warrant for his arrest was issued as part of the indictmentBrian Steel president of the union representing Blendon Township police called the indictment deeply disappointing Like all law enforcement officers Officer Grubb had to make a splitsecond decision a reality all too familiar for those who protect our communities he said in a statementYoungs grandmother Nadine Young said the officer never should have pulled his gun when he first confronted her He took a lot from us she said on Tuesday Its not fair We dont have her or the baby The last year has been difficult for the family including her granddaughters two young sons she said Its been agony its been like a whirlwind of hurt and pain she saidFamily members called for the officer to be charged shortly after the Aug 24 shooting After viewing bodycam footage showing the officer firing the gun the family called his actions a gross misuse of power and authority especially given that Young had been accused of a relatively minor crimeIn the video an officer at the drivers side window tells Young shes been accused of shoplifting and orders her out of the car Young protests both officers curse at her and yell at her to get out and Young can be heard asking them Are you going to shoot meSeconds later she turns the steering wheel to the right the car rolls slowly forward and Grubb fires his gun Moments later after the car comes to a stop against the building they break the drivers side window Police said they tried to save her life but she was mortally woundedSean Walton the familys attorney said the law is clear on when an officer can use deadly force In no scenario does someone shoplifting contribute to their murder by a police officer he said She bears no responsibilitySome departments around the US prohibit officers from firing at or from moving vehicles and law enforcement groups such as the Police Executive Research Forum say shooting in such circumstances creates an unacceptable risk to bystanders from stray gunfire or the driver losing control of the vehicleThe Blendon Township police departments use of force policy says officers should try to move away from an approaching vehicle instead of firing their weapons An officer should only shoot when he or she reasonably believes there are no other reasonable means available to avert the imminent threat of the vehicle or if deadly force other than the vehicle is directed at the officer or othersThe encounter between Young and police was among a troubling series of fatal shootings of Black adults and children by Ohio officers and followed various episodes of police brutality against Black people across the nation over the past several yearsThe states Bureau of Criminal Investigation completed its investigation into the shooting last December before a special prosecutor was appointed to oversee the case The prosecutor then presented evidence to the grand jury over two days Grand juries dont consider guilt but instead look at whether theres enough evidence to proceed to a trialBlendon Township Police Chief John Belford said the department has started a disciplinary review now that Grubb has been indicted A fulltime officer with the township since 2019 Grubb has been on paid administrative leave since the shooting His personnel file showed he had no disciplinary history on the job his first as a police officerNo one at Blendon Township has passed any judgment on whether Officer Grubb acted within the law the police chief said in a statement However since people whove been indicted may not legally possess a firearm the indictment against him leaves us with no choice but to begin the disciplinary processThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever