Outrage after Columbus police fatally shoot Black teen hours before Chauvin verdict was announced

Columbus, Ohio – On the same day that Derek Chauvin was declared guilty in the murder of George Floyd, a police officer in Columbus, Ohio, fatally shot another Black person – this time a 16-year-old girl.

Ma'Khia Bryant (†16) died from gunshot wounds inflicted by a Columbus police officer.
Ma'Khia Bryant (†16) died from gunshot wounds inflicted by a Columbus police officer.  © Screenshot/Facebook/Makhia Bryant

Law enforcement officers responded to a call saying that a group of girls was trying to stab the person on the phone. They arrived on the scene at 4:44 PM on Tuesday, the New York Times reported.

Body camera footage from the incident shows the teen appearing to lash out at another girl twice with a knife.

The officer approached the group and yelled "get down" before firing several shots.

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The girl was rushed to the hospital, where she succumbed to the gunshot injuries and was declared dead just before 5:30 PM.

The victim was identified as Ma'Khia Bryant, who was under the care of Franklin County Children Services.

Ma'Khia's aunt, Hazel Bryant, told reporters that her niece was the one who had called the police and that she was trying to defend herself after being attacked.

The officer in question has been placed on paid administrative leave, but their identity has not been released.

The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation will be conducting an independent investigation into the matter.

A group of 150 to 200 protesters gathered outside police headquarters on Tuesday evening following the shooting. Tensions heightened even more after a video that appears to show police officers shouting "Blue Lives Matter" at local residents was uploaded to Facebook.

Mayor Andrew Ginther stated, "It's a tragic day in the city of Columbus. A horrible, heartbreaking situation. I'm not just the mayor, I'm a father. The city of Columbus lost a 15-year-old girl today. We know based on this footage, the officer took action to protect another young girl in our community. But a family is grieving tonight and this young 15-year-old girl will never be coming home," he added.

Ma'Khia's mother, Paula Bryant, has corrected incorrect reports that her daughter was 15, rather than 16.

The incident also came to the attention of George Floyd's attorney Ben Crump, who lamented yet another Black person's death at the hands of police: "As we breathed a collective sigh of relief today, a community in Columbus felt the sting of another police shooting. Another child lost! Another hashtag."

Cover photo: Screenshot/Facebook/Makhia Bryant

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