Officer acquitted in death of Ta’Kiya Young, a pregnant Black mother accused of shoplifting

By PATRICK AFTOORA-ORSAGOS and JULIE CARR SMYTH, Associated Press

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The Ohio police officer who shot and killed Ta’Kiya Young, a pregnant Black mother who had been accused of shoplifting, was acquitted on all counts Friday, including murder.

Blendon Township police officer Connor Grubb, who faced up to life in prison, appeared stalwart as he heard the verdict. Young’s grandmother, Nadine Young, collapsed into sobs at the decision, shouting “It’s not right! This is not right!”

Sean Walton, an attorney for the Young family, called the outcome “an American tragedy,” lamenting what he said is a dual system of justice in the U.S. The family’s legal team vowed to continue its fight in civil court, where her estate sued the township and police chief over department practice