Our hearts go out to Ta’Kiya Young and her loved ones. Our community has lost another mother, relative, and friend. How many more Black lives must we see leave us? How many excuses are we going to give those who are supposed to serve and protect our communities?
Serve and protect does not mean you have the authority to be judge, jury, and executioner over another human being. We must hold Blendon Police Department accountable for their conduct in this situation. Her death was not only avoidable, but also a major misuse of power.
The Blendon Township Police Department’s use of force policy says that when it’s “feasible,” officers should take “reasonable steps” to get out of the way of an approaching vehicle instead of firing a weapon. An officer should only discharge a firearm at a moving vehicle or its occupants when the officer believes there are no other reasonable means available to avert the imminent threat of the vehicle, or if deadly force other than the vehicle is directed at the officer or others”. (source – warning: contains graphic content)
This is another tragic event in our community and we demand justice for Ta’Kiya Young!
– WeRISE for Greater Westerville Executive Board of Trustees
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