September 9th 2023.
Ta’Kiya Young’s family is struggling to understand why the police officer who shot and killed their 21-year-old daughter has not been identified publicly. On the 24th of August, Young was killed by an officer in a grocery store parking lot. The officer has not been fired or criminally charged, and the family is left with many unanswered questions.
Sean Walton Jr., an attorney for the family, spoke to the Washington Post regarding the incident. He said, “If we had video evidence of a citizen committing an act that appeared to be a murder, there would not be a long investigation [beforehand]; that suspect would be identified and that suspect would be charged.” Blendon Township Police Chief John Belford maintained that the officers involved were victims. Belford cited Marsy’s Law, which establishes crime victims' rights in the state of Ohio. Despite this, the officer who did not shoot Young was allowed to go back out on active duty due to the police department being understaffed.
The family was able to piece together the identity of the officer who shot and killed Ta’Kiya. By using the evidence they were provided, such as eyewitnesses and badge number information, they believe the officer is Connor Grubb. Marsy’s Law was created in memory of a 21-year-old woman who was shot and killed by her boyfriend in 1983. As the law has been adopted by multiple states, police departments have used it to keep officers involved in use of force incidents, like Grubb, from being named.
Fred Gittes, a Columbus attorney who specializes in police misconduct, privacy and public records cases, spoke to the Washington Post about the issue. He said, “Police officers are public servants, licensed to kill, and we need to know who they are.” Gittes also said that the police are abusing the original intent of the law, and that due to their status as public servants, they should not be allowed to hide.
Nadine Young, Ta’Kiya’s grandmother, has characterized the police as “dishonest”. She told the Washington Post, “An apology would not be genuine at this point; it has been weeks since Kiya’s murder. I want [Grubb] held accountable.” Young also shared her sadness about her granddaughter's accomplishments, which were cut short. She said, “All she wanted was a place of her own and she had been approved for her own place in Sandusky days before her murder. That’s been heavy on my mind and heart … that she achieved that goal.”
Ta’Kiya Young’s family deserves justice. They are questioning why the officer who shot their daughter has not been identified publicly and want the officer held accountable. The family is pushing for further investigation and is hopeful they will receive the answers and justice they deserve.
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