Police released bodycam footage of 16-year-old Ma’Khia Bryant being fatally shot by police responding to reports of an attempted stabbing. The incident happened just hours before the guilty verdict was read in the highly-publicized trial of Derek Chauvin.
Columbus interim police chief Michael Woods revealed that a caller claimed that females were trying to stab them and put their hands on them before hanging up the phone. Woods didn’t comment on what led to the officer resorting to shooting the teen, which he said “is a tragic incident for all involved, but especially for the family of the female.”
Woods added, “As I said earlier, the Bureau of Criminal Investigation is conducting the criminal investigation into this incident. At the conclusion of that investigation, the divisional police will conduct an administrative review of the actions of this officer and all officers at the scene.”
During a press conference, Woods stated protocol allowed police officers to use deadly force to protect themselves and others. He added that the independent investigators would assess whether the officer’s actions were justified.
Family members identified Bryant as the victim, as did the Franklin County Children’s Services agency, which said she was a foster child.
Bryant’s mother Paula Bryant told local TV reporter Lacey Crisp: “She was a very loving, peaceful little girl. She was 16 years old, she was a honor roll student. Ma’Khia has a motherly nature about her. She promoted peace. And that’s something that I want to always be remembered.”
