COLUMBUS, Ohio — August 24 marked one year since 21-year-old Ta’Kiya Young was shot and killed by Blendon Township Police Officer Connor Grubb.
Young was being questioned for shoplifting outside a grocery store when officers demanded she get out of the car.
She is seen on body camera video beginning to drive away in the direction of Grubb. He fired one shot at her through the windshield, killing her and her unborn child. She was around six months pregnant.
Young’s family gathered with community members, supporters and activists on Saturday to mark the anniversary of her death.
“She had so much life to live, she was the life of everybody, kept everybody happy. She was gonna have a little girl and she loved wanting to have a little girl,” said Nadine Young, Ta’Kiya’s grandmother.
The family has been holding regular vigils, but Saturday there was a renewed sense of hope for justice.
The one-year anniversary comes 11 days after Grubb was indicted for the murder of Young and her unborn child.
“It was a long wait almost to the year, 11 months waiting for it to happen and the video cam told it. It told what he did was wrong and it just hurt so much the way he did what he did. He never had to pull the gun on her,” said her grandmother.
Nadine is now raising Ta’Kiya’s two sons, ages four and seven.
“They struggling, but I am doing the best I can. They miss her a lot because they are used to her being there, spoiling them rotten, doing what she can for them so I am doing the best I can,” she said.
She said the 7-year-old wants to be a police officer when he grows up.
“He said he wants to be a good police officer, not the kind that hurt his mom. That is what he told me, so I am trying to raise them right. That there is good officers you got to listen to them, follow the rules, trying to steer them in the right way the best I can,” she said.
Nadine and her family are hoping for a swift trial.
The Columbus Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #9 President Lt. Brian Steel shared a statement ahead of the one-year anniversary of the shooting.
“We recognize this is the first anniversary of Ms. Young’s death and extend our deepest condolences to the families affected by the tragic incident involving Ms. Young and Officer Grubb. Ms. Young’s life mattered, and our community feels the loss deeply. While this tragedy is heartbreaking, it is essential to acknowledge that it was preventable. Ms. Young and Officer Grubb made decisions that day, and we must take the time to fully understand the circumstances surrounding this incident. Our thoughts and prayers are with both families as they navigate this difficult time.”