A 16-year-old girl, Ma’Khia Bryant, was shot and killed by a police officer in Columbus, Ohio.
Reportedly, Ma’Khia was shot and killed outside of her home, after she called police for help on Tuesday (April 20). Bryant reportedly called officers at about 4:30 p.m. when a group of “older kids” threatened her, her aunt told Ohio Statehouse News Bureau Reporter Andy Chow.
Columbus Police showed the video a second time in slow motion during Tuesday night’s news conference. Interim Chief of Police Michael Woods said the video shows Bryant holding a knife as she “pushes two girls at the scene.” He said police believe she was attempting to stab both girls during the fight.
Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther called Tuesday afternoon’s events a “tragic day.”
He said, “We know based on this footage, the officer took action to protect another young girl in our community. But a family is grieving tonight.”
Woods said emergency dispatch received a call at approximately 4:30 p.m. A female caller said other girls were at the home trying to “stab them and put their hands on them,” Woods said. Police officers were dispatched four minutes after the call ended and they arrived at the home at 4:44 p.m.
This afternoon a young woman tragically lost her life. We do not know all of the details. There is body-worn camera footage of the incident. We are working to review it as soon as possible. BCI is on the scene conducting an independent investigation . . .
— Mayor Andrew Ginther (@MayorGinther) April 20, 2021
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