Police Officer Charged with Murder in Shooting of Pregnant Black Woman

An Ohio police officer has been indicted and charged with murder following the fatal shooting of a pregnant woman. The incident took place on August 24, leading to the indictment by a Franklin County grand jury against Connor Grubb, 29, for the death of 21-year-old Ta’Kiya Young.

Young was six months pregnant at the time of her death, and unfortunately, her pregnancy could not be saved. Sean Walton, the attorney representing Young’s family, expressed that the indictment marks a significant step toward achieving accountability in policing. He remarked, “Ta’Kiya’s life and that of her daughter were extinguished in an act of brutality, becoming yet another symbol of the urgent need for reform in police conduct and accountability.”

Grubb faces multiple charges, including four counts of murder, four counts of felonious assault, and two counts of involuntary manslaughter associated with the tragic incident. The confrontation began when a Kroger employee reported that Young, among others, was stealing bottles of liquor from the grocery store. When the employee flagged down Blendon Township police officers, they were already present in the parking lot assisting another individual.

Body camera footage released by the police department reveals two officers positioned near Young’s car. One officer stood by her driver-side window, while Grubb positioned himself in front of her vehicle. The officer beside Young issued several commands instructing her to roll down the window and turn off the car. Though Young partially rolled down her window, she did not comply with the order to turn off the engine and instead attempted to drive away.

As her car began to move forward, Grubb could be seen pointing his firearm through the windshield. The vehicle advanced towards Grubb, prompting him to fire a shot that struck Young in the chest. The vehicle traveled a few feet before coming to a stop, while the officers attempted to break the window from the outside. Once they succeeded, Young was found slumped within the car.

The police department has stated that the officers were unaware of Young’s pregnancy during the confrontation, as her condition was not visible while she was seated in the vehicle. Surveillance footage from Kroger indicated that both of Grubb’s feet were off the ground when the car made contact with him.

Following the shooting, medical assistance was called for Young. Although a doctor present at the scene attempted to provide aid until paramedics arrived, Young ultimately succumbed to her injuries.

Grubb began his career with the Blendon Township Police Department in 2019 and is scheduled to make his first court appearance on Wednesday, as confirmed by Montgomery County prosecutors.

Nadine Young, the victim’s grandmother, shared her sorrow, mentioning that her family deeply feels the absence of Ta’Kiya. “It’s been, for me, agony,” she stated. “It’s been like a whirlwind of hurt and pain.” Nadine expressed her belief that Grubb should face conviction for murder, suggesting that his actions indicated an intent to kill if Ta’Kiya did not comply.

Walton, the attorney for the Young family, has plans to file a civil lawsuit against the Blendon Township government, hoping for a settlement. Meanwhile, Grubb’s legal representatives, Mark Collins and Kaitlyn Stephens, affirmed that while the indictment was anticipated, they are confident that evidence will demonstrate their client’s innocence.

“When viewed through the eyes of a reasonable police officer, the evidence will show that our client’s actions were justified when there is video evidence that Officer Grubb was hit by a moving vehicle,” they stated. They asserted that the case revolves around understanding the decision-making process that led Grubb to use deadly force.

This incident has shed light on broader issues surrounding police conduct and the necessity for reforms in law enforcement practices.

Source: Columbus Dispatch