Photo Courtesy Of Ma'Khia Bryant Family
Officer Nicholas Reardon, the Ohio cop who fatally shot 16-year-old Black girl, Ma’Khia Bryant, has been cleared of criminal wrongdoing.
According to WBNS, the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office and the Fraternal Order of Police said that a grand jury decided not to charge Reardon criminally. The jury issued a “no bill,” meaning they did not find probable cause that he committed a crime, despite shooting and killing Bryant while responding to her 911 call.
President of the Fraternal Order of Police Capital City Lodge No. 9., Jeff Simpson, reportedly claimed that the officer was doing his job.
“It’s unfortunate when anyone loses their life, but the officer saved lives that day and did what he was trained to do.” He also said that Reardon “acted appropriately” during the shooting incident.
Bryant was shot four times by the White Ohio cop on Apr. 20, 2021, in front of a foster home in the 3100 block of Legion Lane on the Southeast Side. She and her sister, Ja’Niah Bryant, had been staying there, as they were under the care of Franklin County Children Services at the time.
Reardon showed up at the home in response to Bryant’s call in which she said a group of girls threatened to stab her and her sister there. Her sibling placed a 911 call three weeks prior, begging someone to help them with constant fighting at the residence.
Body camera footage was released, in which the officer was seen asking what happened as Bryant swung a knife at a young woman. He then fired his weapon at her, leaving her in critical condition.
Moments later, she was rushed to Mount Carmel East Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Her friends and witnesses reportedly said that she was defending herself from other people at the house.
On Aug. 16, 2021, Franklin County Coroner Dr. Anahi M. Ortiz released a statement that said Bryant’s death was ruled a homicide.
“The autopsy report of Ma’Khia Bryant was released today by the office of Franklin County Coroner Dr. Anahi Ortiz. Earlier this summer, this matter was assigned to Special Prosecutors H. Tim Merkle and Gary Shroyer as the Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney serves as legal counsel for Franklin County Children Services.”
Ohio Attorney General David Yost also released a statement, saying that a grand jury would decide whether or not Reardon would be criminally charged for killing the teen.
Michelle Martin, the lawyer representing Bryant’s family, released a statement about the jury’s recent decision not to do so.
“Ma’Khia Bryant’s family is disappointed that a Franklin County grand jury declined to indict the officer who shot and killed her last year,” she said. “Ma’Khia’s family has long wondered why this officer opted for lethal force even though there should have been other non-deadly options available to deal with this situation. We believe that the tragedy that ultimately resulted in Ma’Khia’s death started long before she was shot and killed by a Columbus police officer. There must be full-scale changes made to Ohio’s foster care system to ensure that this doesn’t happen to another child. We need to work tirelessly to protect those who are most vulnerable in our society. Ohio’s foster care system is failing our children, and we cannot stand by and allow this to continue.”
She added that Bryant’s family has been adamant about bringing justice to their loved one, as the first anniversary of her tragic death has been approaching.
Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther released a statement, saying the Columbus Police Department and Franklin County would be investigating her foster care history.
“I am grateful for the grand jury for their work and to BCI for their investigation,” he wrote. “The next step is an administrative investigation by CPD, and Franklin County continues to look into Ma’Khia Byant’s care in the foster system. In the end, none of that brings Ma’Khia back, and we must continue to lift up her family in our prayers.”
The Columbus girl’s death ignited protests around the U.S. in 2021, as tensions rose amid Black Lives Matter demonstrations surrounding the police killings of George Floyd and, later, Daunte Wright.