Newly released body camera footage reveals the moments leading up to the fatal shooting of Ta’Kiya Young, a 21-year-old pregnant woman, by an Ohio police officer. The incident occurred on August 24 when Young was suspected of shoplifting and confronted by two officers in a grocery store parking lot. The footage, viewed by Young’s family before its public release, shows a tense encounter between the officers and Young, ultimately resulting in her death.
In the video, one officer can be heard repeatedly instructing Young to exit her vehicle. The other officer is seen standing in front of her car, placing his hand on the hood and eventually pointing his gun at her through the windshield. Young denies the accusation of theft, refusing to comply with the officers’ demands. As tensions escalate, Young asks, “You gonna shoot me?” Moments later, she is seen accelerating her car towards one of the officers, who is struck. In response, the officer fires a shot through Young’s windshield.
She was pronounced dead shortly before 7:45 p.m., according to the Franklin County Coroner’s Office. The exact location of the gunshot wound remains unclear. The video captured the sound of a scream as Young’s car continued to drive away at a slow speed. The officers continued to pursue her until the vehicle collided with the grocery store facade.
Following the incident, the officers called emergency services and attempted to assist Young by applying a seal to her wound. Blendon Township Police Chief John Belford stated that the officer who fired the shot has been placed on administrative leave, while the other officer returned to duty after reviewing the body camera footage. The identities of both officers involved have not been disclosed.
Young’s family and their lawyer released a statement, describing the shooting as a “clearly criminal act” and demanding a swift indictment of the officer responsible. They expressed their grief over the loss of Young, highlighting the fact that her unborn daughter also lost her life in the tragic event.