US Police Release Body Camera Footage of Fatal Shooting of Pregnant Black Woman in Ohio
In a deeply troubling incident that has reignited the call for US police accountability in the United States, body camera footage of the fatal shooting of Ta’Kiya Young, a 21-year-old pregnant Black woman, has been released by authorities in Ohio.
The tragic incident occurred on August 24 in a grocery store parking lot in Blendon Township, a suburb of Columbus, Ohio, and resulted in the loss of both Ta’Kiya Young’s life and her unborn child.
Blendon Township Police Chief John Belford has described the incident as a “tragedy” that unfolded when police attempted to stop Young, who had been accused of shoplifting. However, Young’s family vehemently disputes this characterization, labeling the killing as “avoidable,” a “gross misuse of power and authority,” and a “hateful act.”
In a statement provided to the Columbus Dispatch newspaper, the family declared, “This incident goes beyond the obvious policy violations that occurred. After seeing the video footage of her death, this is clearly a criminal act.”
This tragic event is the latest in a series of deadly encounters between US police and Black citizens, sparking mass protests and demands for an end to anti-Black racism and increased accountability within law enforcement agencies.
The released body camera footage shows a Kroger’s grocery store employee informing a police officer in the parking lot about Young’s alleged shoplifting. The officer, who was engaged with another person in the parking lot at the time, approached Young’s parked car and asked her to step out. Young, questioning the officer’s request, inquired, “For what? Are you going to shoot me?”
Suddenly, the car accelerated forward, and a second officer who had been standing in front of the vehicle fired a single shot as the car made contact with him, forcing him to jump aside. Subsequently, the footage reveals the car slowing down but continuing to move forward until it collided with a wall. The officers then broke the car’s window to gain access.
Blendon Township Police Chief John Belford stated that the officers attempted to administer first aid before paramedics arrived, but tragically, Ta’Kiya Young was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. Her family shared that she was expecting to give birth to her unborn daughter in November and was also a mother to two other children.
The identities of the two officers involved in the fatal incident have not been released, citing an Ohio law protecting the identities of crime victims. Police argue that both officers fall into this category, with one officer having had his arm inside Young’s window when the car accelerated, which they consider an assault. The other officer is seen as the victim of attempted criminal assault.
Chanda Brown, the attorney representing Ta’Kiya Young’s family, expressed her deep concerns after viewing the released footage, stating that she saw no “justification” for the officers’ use of deadly force. She emphasized, “I saw a young woman get killed.”
Ramon Obey, the lead organizer of the People’s Justice Project civil rights and advocacy group, highlighted the disturbing message conveyed by this incident, stating, “Property was deemed more valuable than Black life.” He called for justice for Ta’Kiya Young and her unborn child, emphasizing that this fatal encounter with the police must not be minimized.
In response to the tragedy, a community rally is scheduled to be held in Columbus over the weekend, as concerned citizens continue to demand answers, transparency, and accountability in the wake of yet another fatal encounter with US police.
By: M Z Hossain, Editor Sky Buzz Feed
