Officer Connor Grubb Acquitted in Ta'Kiya Young Shooting

In a verdict that has reignited debates about police accountability, Ohio officer Connor Grubb was acquitted of all charges—including murder—in the fatal shooting of Ta'Kiya Young, a 22-year-old pregnant Black mother. The shooting occurred during a confrontation over suspected shoplifting in a suburban Columbus parking lot last August.

The Incident in Kroger's Parking Lot

On August 24, 2023, Grubb and fellow officer Moynihan responded to reports of Young allegedly stealing alcohol from a Kroger store in Blendon Township. Bodycam footage shows the officers approaching Young's car as she partially lowered her window. "Are you going to shoot me?" Young asked before putting on a turn signal. Her car then rolled slowly forward toward Grubb, who fired a single bullet into her chest. Both Young and her unborn daughter were pronounced dead shortly after.

The Trial and Key Evidence

The two-week trial centered on the bodycam video and expert testimonies. Grubb never took the stand but submitted a statement claiming he positioned himself to protect others and felt the car hit his legs before he shot. Jurors deliberated for days before clearing him of all 10 charges.

Franklin County Common Pleas Judge David Young (no relation to Ta'Kiya) dropped four counts related to the death of her unborn child, ruling prosecutors failed to prove Grubb knew she was pregnant when he fired.

"For the rest of his life, he has to deal with this," Grubb's attorney Mark Collins said. "He feels he took a life on duty and has to walk around with that."

Aftermath and Family Response

The courtroom erupted when the verdict was read. Young's grandmother collapsed into sobs, shouting, "It's not right! This is not right!" The family's attorney, Sean Walton, called it "an American tragedy," citing a "dual system of justice."

Grubb's attorney criticized courthouse protests during the trial. Meanwhile, the Young family has vowed to continue fighting in civil court, where a federal lawsuit alleges the township and police chief failed to properly train or supervise Grubb, leading to a "reckless escalation."

What Happens Next?

While criminal charges are resolved, the civil lawsuit seeks accountability for systemic failures in the Blendon Township Police Department. The case continues to fuel national conversations about police use of force, racial disparities in justice, and the treatment of pregnant individuals during law enforcement encounters. As the Young family pursues civil remedies, communities nationwide grapple with the broader implications of the verdict.