Ohio police release video showing officers’ fatal shooting of pregnant Black woman Ta’Kiya Young

The authorities in Ohio have recently made public the bodycam footage depicting the fatal shooting of Ta’Kiya Young, a pregnant Black woman, by police officers. The incident, which occurred on August 24, has been strongly condemned by her family as an egregious display of power and authority against a young Black woman who was also expecting a child. Tragically, both Ta’Kiya Young and her unborn daughter lost their lives during the encounter.

The footage, which was released more than a week after the incident, reveals an officer positioned at the driver’s side window of Young’s car, repeatedly instructing her to exit the vehicle. The officer informs her that she has been accused of theft, prompting Young to protest. The officer persists in demanding that she step out of the car. In response, Young turns the steering wheel to her right and accelerates towards the officer who is standing in front of her vehicle. This action prompts the officer to fire shots through the windshield at Young. Moments later, her car drifts and collides with the brick wall of a nearby grocery store.

Following the collision, officers break the window of the car. Blendon Township Police Chief John Belford explained that this was done to both remove Young from the vehicle and provide necessary medical assistance. However, footage of the medical aid being administered was not included in the released materials.

Prior to the public release of the footage, Young’s family members were given the opportunity to view it. Through their attorney, Sean Walton, the family released a statement denouncing the incident. They expressed their belief that Ta’Kiya’s death was not only preventable, but also a clear abuse of power. Walton called for a swift criminal indictment of the officers involved in the shooting of Young and her unborn child.

The delay in releasing the bodycam footage was attributed to the need for proper processing and redaction of certain elements, such as officers’ faces and badge numbers, in accordance with Ohio law. The officers involved have not had their names, ages, or races disclosed as of yet. They have been placed on paid administrative leave while the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation conducts a standard review of the incident involving the use of deadly force by the police.

Ta’Kiya Young was expected to give birth to a daughter in November. A fundraising effort to cover her funeral expenses has raised nearly $7,000. Her family, including her sons Ja’Kobie and Ja’Kenlie, have been deeply affected by the loss. Young’s loved ones described her as a family-oriented individual who was also a prankster. Her grandmother shared that she was eagerly anticipating the arrival of her daughter.

In the aftermath of this tragic event, Young’s family and friends held a private vigil, commemorating her life with balloons and candles. Her grandmother, Nadine Young, spoke about Ta’Kiya’s loving nature and her excitement about becoming a mother to a daughter. The family’s grief is profound, and the incident has left them in shock. The entire episode underscores the need for thorough investigations into cases of police use of deadly force and highlights the devastating impact of such incidents on families and communities.

This report was contributed by Samantha Hendrickson, a corps member for the Big Big News/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Aaron Morrison, a national writer for Big Big News, also contributed to this report from New York.

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• Ohio Police Release Video of Fatal Shooting
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• Bodycam Footage Sparks Outrage and Calls for Justice
• Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation
• Support for Ta’Kiya Young’s Family
• Impact of Police Shootings on Communities