The full body cam video of the officer involved shooting of Columbus teen Ma’Khia Bryant on Tuesday afternoon was released during a press conference held by the Columbus Department of Public Safety. The video shows the young teen charging an individual with a knife before being shot by police.
16-year-old Ma’Khia Bryant was shot and killed by a police officer as she lunged at another woman during what appeared to be a large melee after police were called to the home. Bryant’s family member says police were called to end the fight happening on the property per local media WKYC. Bryant was shot by police after lunging at another woman with a knife, and was later pronounced dead in a local hospital.
About 6 minutes and 40 seconds into the video posted to YouTube, viewers can see that Bryant was wielding what appears to be a knife as she charges another individual. Right before Bryant appeared to be in the process of stabbing the individual, she was fatally shot by police. The knife apparently held by Bryant can be seen on the ground repeatedly after the shooting.
Widely circulated videos of the aftermath of the shooting have led to massive protests and unrest in Columbus, Ohio. The police urge calm even as Black Lives Matter protesters take to the streets.
Demonstrators are blocking Broad and High streets. Police are encircling the block. pic.twitter.com/NwuLSD3LUq
— The Lantern (@TheLantern) April 21, 2021
Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther weighed in by saying “it is clear the officer took action to protect another young life,” at the cities press conference.
The news comes as the nation reels from the aftermath of the verdict reached in the Derek Chauvin trial, in which jurors found the officer guilty on all counts for the murder of George Floyd.
“The jury came to the verdict after nine hours of deliberations, with the Chauvin being found guilty of murder in the second and third degree. Chauvin was also found guilty of manslaughter in the second degree. The trial had lasted just under a month, with proceedings starting at the end of March.”
BREAKING: The jury finds former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin guilty on all counts in the murder of George Floyd: 2nd degree intentional murder, 3rd degree murder, and 2nd degree manslaughter pic.twitter.com/FW5XDAZwob
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) April 20, 2021