Pregnant woman accused of stealing alcohol from supermarket fatally shot by Ohio police

The family of a pregnant 21-year-old woman, who was shot and killed by Ohio police after she was accused of shoplifting, say they have many questions about the fatal encounter. According to The Associated Press, authorities said Ta’Kiya Young was fatally shot at a supermarket parking lot on August 24. 

Blendon Police Chief John Belford said officers had gone to the supermarket for an unrelated case, but an employee informed them about several people shoplifting. Young allegedly stole several bottles of alcohol before leaving the supermarket and entering her car. Belford said an officer approached Young and told her not to drive away while another officer was positioned in front of her car.

Belford said Young moved the car and the officer in front subsequently opened fire. The bullet pierced through the front windshield of Young’s car. The vehicle moved for a while before it came to a halt, Belford added.

In an interview with The Columbus Dispatch, the deceased pregnant woman’s family said she was expected to welcome a baby girl in November. The baby also died from the shooting. Young’s grandmother, Nadine Young, also told the news outlet that her granddaughter being accused of shoplifting did not warrant her killing. 

“She stole something from the store,” she said. “You didn’t have to shoot the woman; she would have eventually gotten out of the … car. You didn’t have to kill her and the baby.”

An investigation into the shooting has since been launched. The officers involved in the shooting have also been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. And though police body cam recorded the shooting, it is uncertain if the video would be released to the public, The Associated Press reported. The identities of the officers have also not been disclosed.