Ohio Officer Acquitted in Shooting Death of Pregnant Woman — Additional Details
The fatal shooting of 21-year-old Ta’Kiya Young — and the subsequent acquittal of Blendon Township police officer Connor Grubb — has brought renewed attention to police use of force, racial disparities, and accountability in Ohio.
After a two-week trial in Franklin County, the jury found Officer Grubb not guilty on all charges, including murder, involuntary manslaughter, and felonious assault. The verdict follows months of public scrutiny, protests, and heated debate about whether the officer’s actions were justified during the August 24, 2023, incident outside a Kroger supermarket.
What Led to the Shooting
The incident began when store employees alerted police to suspected shoplifting. Officers Grubb and Sgt. Erick Moynihan approached Young’s vehicle, which was parked outside the store. Young was pregnant with her third child at the time.
Body camera footage played in court showed the officers repeatedly ordering Young to exit the car. Young cracked her window, appearing frustrated and asking, “Are you going to shoot me?”
Officer Grubb stood directly in front of the vehicle with his handgun drawn. Video evidence shows Young turning the steering wheel moments before the car inched forward.
Grubb fired one round through the windshield. In his statement read aloud in court, he said he believed he was being run over, claiming the car lifted him as he discharged his weapon.
Young and Her Unborn Daughter Pronounced Dead
The vehicle rolled forward until it struck the storefront. Officers shattered the window to reach Young. She was transported to the hospital, where both she and her unborn daughter were pronounced dead.
Conflicting Testimony
Sgt. Moynihan, who was on Young’s driver-side door, testified that he did not perceive Young as a lethal threat and never drew his weapon. Prosecutors argued this proved Grubb acted recklessly and escalated the encounter unnecessarily.
The defense countered that Young’s decision to move the vehicle created a deadly situation, and Grubb responded out of fear for his life.
Verdict and Emotional Reaction
The jury deliberated before returning the not-guilty verdict, prompting an emotional outpouring in the courtroom. Young’s grandmother wept softly, saying, “She didn’t deserve this.”
Grubb, who had faced potential life in prison, left the courthouse surrounded by his legal team. His attorneys insisted the verdict affirmed that he followed his training and acted within the bounds of the law.
What Comes Next
Young’s family expressed devastation and announced their intention to pursue a civil wrongful death lawsuit. The case is expected to continue drawing national attention, particularly among police reform advocates and civil rights organizations.
Community leaders in Columbus have urged calm while also calling for renewed discussions about police protocols involving suspected theft, vehicular encounters, and de-escalation techniques.
