Police Release Footage of Officer Fatally Shooting Pregnant Black Woman
Police have made public bodycam footage capturing the tragic moment an officer fatally shot a pregnant black woman in Ohio. Ta’Kiya Young, aged 21, lost her life on August 24 in the incident, and her unborn daughter also perished.
The video reveals two officers outside Ms. Young’s car, which was parked by a food shop in Blendon Township, a suburb in Ohio. The footage, provided by Blendon Township, shows a critical scene that has sparked calls for accountability.
A legal representative advocating for Ms. Young’s family expressed that the video makes it evident that her death was preventable. They have called for the immediate dismissal and charging of the officer responsible.
In the video, an officer approaches the driver’s side window, instructing Ms. Young to exit the vehicle due to allegations of theft. She resists leaving the car and turns the steering wheel, appearing to drive toward the officer positioned in front of her vehicle.
The officer, visible in the reflection on the car’s hood, fires his gun at Ms. Young through the windshield. Shortly after, her car drifts until it collides with the shop’s wall. The officers quickly approach the moving car, with one of them alerting over the radio about the shots fired and subsequently breaking the car window.
Lawyer Sean Walton, who watched the entire footage, asserted that Ta’Kiya’s death was not just preventable but an alarming misuse of authority. The names of the officers involved have not been disclosed at this time. Both officers are currently on paid administrative leave while the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation reviews the incident, following standard protocol for cases involving lethal police action.
Ta’Kiya Young had two young sons, ages six and three. She eagerly anticipated the arrival of her baby girl. According to her grandmother, Nadine Young, Ta’Kiya was a prankster who cherished her role as a caring older sister and mother.
Nadine Young shared her grief, mentioning how deeply missed her granddaughter will be and emphasizing that this tragedy should never have occurred. Ms. Young’s family lawyer, Mr. Walton, emphasized that her children have been tragically robbed of their mother, a reality they cannot yet fully comprehend.