July 8, 2021
Ma’Khia Bryant’s Family Concerned Over Investigation Results Headed To Prosecutor’s Office
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said the state’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation has recommended to the Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office to look deeper into the death of 16-year-old Columbus teen Ma’Khia Bryant.
Columbus Police Officer Nicholas Reardon, the policeman who shot and killed Bryant on April 20, has not been charged with anything since the investigation was completed.
However, Bryant’s surviving grandmother Jeanene Hammonds and family attorney Michelle Martin, believe the investigation should have been more inclusive, according to NBC 5 Cincinnati.
“It was not thorough enough for me because they did not interview me that night,” Hammonds said, according to NBC4.
Related stories: Officer Who Fatally Shot 16-Year-Old Ma’Khia Bryant Has Been Identified
As BLACK ENTERPRISE previously reported, a cop shot Bryant for allegedly charging at two people with a knife.
Bryant was living in the foster care system through Franklin County Children Services at the time of her death. The Associated Press stated that officials with the Columbus Division of Police released initial footage of the shooting the following Tuesday night, mere hours after it happened.
“I know what happened the night before. I know what happened the night of the evening of this incident, and that’s what I was going to discuss with them before a videotape got out, making my granddaughter looking like she is a monster,” Hammonds said.
Martin said that she hopes the prosecuting attorney’s office will do its own investigation into the matter.
Despite Hammonds’ and Martin’s concerns, the Ohio BCI said its investigation includes evidence from the scene, 15 civilian witness interviews and three officers, a review of all available camera footage, processing the cars there for potential evidence, and analyzing phone records, firearms, bullet casings, projectiles and audio calls and communication.