According to a report by CBS News on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, in Ohio, a Franklin County grand jury indicted Connor Grubb, a police officer with the Blendon Township Police Department, on charges of murder, involuntary manslaughter, and felonious assault in the death of Ta’Kiya Young, a 21-year-old pregnant Black woman.
The fatal encounter occurred on August 24, 2023, when Ta’Kiya Young was suspected of shoplifting bottles of alcohol from a local grocery store.
Two Blendon Township police officers, including Grubb, approached Young as she sat in her car in the parking lot.
According to body camera footage released after the incident, one officer ordered Young to exit the vehicle, but she refused, instead asking the officers, “Are you going to shoot me?”
The situation escalated rapidly. Young turned the steering wheel to the right, and as the car began to roll forward slowly, Officer Grubb fired a single shot through the windshield, striking Young in the chest.
The car continued to move until it came to a stop against the side of the building. Officers then broke the driver’s side window in an attempt to provide aid, but Young was mortally wounded.
Both she and her unborn daughter, who was due in three months, died as a result of the gunshot.
Ta’Kiya Young’s family has been vocal in their grief and outrage, questioning the actions of the officers involved.
Her grandmother, Nadine Young, expressed her sorrow and disbelief at the loss of her granddaughter and great-granddaughter. “He took a lot from us,” Nadine said, referring to Officer Grubb.
“It’s not fair. We don’t have her or the baby.” She described the past year as a period of unbearable pain and anguish, particularly for Young’s two young sons, who now face a future without their mother.
From the outset, Young’s family and their legal representatives have condemned the shooting as a “gross misuse of power and authority.” report from BBC.
They argue that the situation did not warrant the use of deadly force, particularly in response to an alleged shoplifting incident, a relatively minor offense.
“In no scenario does someone shoplifting contribute to their murder by a police officer,” said Sean Walton, the family’s attorney. “She bears no responsibility.”
The decision to indict Officer Grubb came after prosecutors presented evidence to the grand jury over two days.
Grand juries are tasked with determining whether there is sufficient evidence to proceed with a criminal trial, rather than assessing guilt or innocence.
The charges against Grubb, murder, involuntary manslaughter, and felonious assault.
Brian Steel, the executive vice president of the union representing Blendon Township police officers, expressed disappointment with the indictment.
“Like all law enforcement officers, Officer Grubb had to make a split-second decision, a reality all too familiar for those who protect our communities,” Steel said in a statement.
Blendon Township Police Chief John Belford announced that the department has begun a disciplinary review of Officer Grubb following the indictment.
“No one at Blendon Township has passed any judgment on whether Officer Grubb acted within the law,” Belford stated.
“However, since people who’ve been indicted may not legally possess a firearm, the indictment against him leaves us with no choice but to begin the disciplinary process.”
