A police officer accused of shooting a pregnant woman in Ohio has been charged with her homicide.
Ta’Kiya Young, 21, was round 25 weeks pregnant on the time of her demise final August. Her unborn daughter additionally died within the police shooting.
On Wednesday, Blendon Township police officer Connor Grubb is because of seem in court docket for the primary time since a grand jury discovered ample proof to file expenses in opposition to him.
The 29-year-old has been charged with 4 counts of homicide, two counts of involuntary manslaughter and 4 counts of felonious assault. His legal professionals say he fired in self-defence.
Bodycam video of final yr’s deadly encounter confirmed police approaching Ms Young in her automobile and trying to cease her from driving away, so they may query her about alleged shoplifting.
In the video, Ms Young appeared to drive towards the officer who fired the deadly shot as he commanded her to exit the automobile.
Ms Young was suspected of shoplifting alcohol from a Kroger grocery retailer, investigators say.
Detailing Mr Grubb’s self-defence argument, his legal professionals mentioned: “When seen by the eyes of an inexpensive police officer, the proof will present that our shopper’s actions have been justified, when there’s video proof that Officer Grubb was being hit by a shifting automobile.”
The native chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) labour union on Tuesday slammed the indictment as “politically motivated”.
“We stand agency in advocating for an neutral justice system that focuses on reality and information, not politics,” mentioned chapter president Brian Steel.
“Like all regulation enforcement officers, Officer Grubb needed to make a split-second choice, a actuality all too acquainted for individuals who serve to guard our communities,” he additionally mentioned, including selections have been usually made below “excessive strain and infrequently in life-threatening conditions”.
Handout/Courtesy Walton + Brown, LLPResponding to the indictment, Blendon Township Police Chief John Belford mentioned the pressure was instantly starting a disciplinary course of, during which it could assessment the information after which resolve the perfect plan of action in opposition to the officer.
“I wish to be very clear: we’re not passing any judgment on whether or not Officer Grubb acted correctly. We have not seen the proof,” Chief Belford mentioned.
A lawyer representing Ms Young’s household, Sean Walton, known as the arrest a “solemn victory within the pursuit of justice” and “one more image of the pressing want for reform in police conduct and accountability”.
“The actions that led to the demise of Ta’Kiya – the pointless aggression, the chilling instructions that amounted to ‘comply or die’ – have been there for us all to witness in dreadful readability,” he mentioned.
Ms Young’s grandmother, Nadine Young, informed CBS News that the previous yr had been very troublesome for the household, together with Ms Young’s two younger sons.
“It’s been agony, it has been like a whirlwind of harm and ache,” she mentioned.
Video from the 24 August 2023 encounter reveals the 2 officers talking with Ms Young for about one minute earlier than the shot is fired.
Both officers have been within the automobile park for an unrelated name.
Ms Young was the mom of two boys, aged six and three. She was as a consequence of give beginning in November.
