COLUMBUS, Ohio — One of the nine nominees for a new civilian review board to oversee the Columbus Division of Police is facing criticism for a Facebook post about the deadly shooting of Ma'Khia Bryant by a Columbus police officer.
Bryant was fatally shot by Columbus police officer Nicholas Reardon on Tuesday after body camera video appears to show Bryant attempting to stab a woman.
Kyle Strickland, an attorney at the Ohio State University, was nominated to be on the Civilian Police Review Board. He wrote on Facebook that people should not let anyone tell them to "wait for all the facts" in the shooting of Bryant
Strickland also wrote, "In America, Black people are killed by police and then blamed for their own deaths."
"Families cannot have a moment to grieve their loved one without also having to defend their humanity. Ma’Khia Bryant was a child. She was shot and killed by Columbus police. She should be alive today," Strickland wrote.
Several hundred people have commented on the post. Some criticized Strickland and questioned his impartiality as a possible member of the Citizen Review Board.
Strickland told The Columbus Dispatch, "People will come to their own narratives and determinations. I have not made a determination about a specific case because I’m not commenting about a specific case. The post speaks for itself."
One of the questions in the application process for the review board asks, "how one would be able to make clear and unbiased recommendations based on the facts presented?"
In part, Strickland wrote in his application "I recognize that we all have biases and different perspectives by which we come to this work, but it's critical for us to withhold judgments or assumptions. A truly independent, credible review board must have members who are committed to taking a careful, meticulous look at all the facts on a case-by-case basis."
When asked about Strickland's post, Mayor Andrew Ginther told 10TV all nominees for the review board oversee the Columbus Division of Police need to be fair and impartial.
Ginther also said his office has talked to Strickland but does not intend on pulling the nomination.
Brian Steel, Vice President of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #9, issued the following statement regarding Strickland's social media post, “The members of FOP #9 are disappointed to learn about Mr. Strickland's social media post. We understand that emotions are at times difficult to control. However, as a member of the new civilian review board, the community will expect him to be fair and unbiased in his review and recommendations. We are uncertain that will be the case."
The Civilian Review Board nominees have yet to be approved by Columbus City Council.
Bryant's shooting death could eventually be reviewed by the Civilian Review Board.
Editor's note: Kyle Strickland has appeared on 10TV newscasts as a legal expert.