Panel Rules No Policy Violation After 2023 Incident
A law enforcement review panel in Ohio has ruled that a Blendon Township police officer did not breach departmental guidelines when he fatally shot 21-year-old Ta’Kiya Young and her unborn baby during an encounter in a Columbus-area grocery store parking lot in August 2023. The decision comes weeks after the officer was acquitted of criminal charges related to the shooting.
Blendon Township Police Chief John Belford announced this week that the five-member Use-of-Force Review Board determined Officer Connor Grubb’s actions were consistent with department policy, concluding there were no violations in how force was applied.
Details of the Confrontation and Board’s Finding
Surveillance and body-camera footage from the August 24, 2023 incident showed Young, who was pregnant, being confronted by officers outside a Kroger grocery store after being suspected of shoplifting. According to authorities, Young’s vehicle moved toward Grubb, who then discharged his weapon through the windshield, striking her. Both Young and her unborn child later died at a hospital.
The review board was made up of four law enforcement officers from outside Franklin County and a township official. They met in December following the officer’s acquittal by a Franklin County jury on charges including murder and manslaughter — a verdict that also factored into the board’s assessment.
Family Response and Ongoing Debate
Young’s death and the subsequent clearance of the officer have continued to draw scrutiny. Legal representatives for the woman’s family have criticized the review outcome, saying the decision underscores persistent concerns about how police use force in high-stress encounters. Critics argue that there should be stronger accountability measures and improved de-escalation practices in policing.
As the community continues to grapple with the implications of the case, local leaders and advocates on both sides emphasize broader conversations about law enforcement procedures, public safety, and justice.
