Update (August 19, 2021):  An autopsy revealed that Ma'Khia Bryant was shot four times during an altercation with a police officer, WSYX reports.

According to the autopsy that was performed by Dr. Anahi M. Ortiz, Bryant was shot in the back, right shoulder, right thigh and once in the right side of her lower torso.

Byrant, who was 16 at the time of her death on April 20, was accused of approaching two girls with a knife when she was shot by Columbus Police Officer Nicholas Reardon. 

Video from the body camera footage shows Bryant holding an object in her right hand and the right side of her back is turned toward the officer.

On July 7, the case was referred to the Franklin County prosecutor's office by the Ohio attorney general's office, according to ABC 6.

Gary Tyack, a Franklin County prosecutor, assigned the case to special prosecutors Tim Merkle and Gary Shroyer to avoid a potential conflict of interest as he was also the legal advisor in a Franklin County Children Services case that involved Bryant.

According to Attorney General Dave Yost, it could take prosecutors several weeks to decide if charges will be filed against the officer in question.

"Prosecutor Tyack continues his commitment to the community to ensure transparency and justice in each case that comes to the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office," an official statement from Tyack's office read. 

"Prosecutor Tyack has complete confidence in Mr. Merkle and Mr. Shroyer and their talent, experience, and professional ethics. We will continue to keep the community apprised of the status of this matter as events warrant,” the statement continued.

If news charges are filed, the case will go to a grand jury. If no charges are filed,  the case will be closed.

Original (April 21, 2021): Paula Bryant, the mother of 15-year-old Ma’khia Bryant, raved about her daughter as she reflected on the life of her beloved teenager who was killed by police in Columbus, Ohio on Tuesday. 

Paula recalled the last conversation she had with her daughter, who revealed that she made the honor roll. The young woman, who was living in a foster home, also told her mom on Thursday that she was looking forward to coming back to her family's house.

“We hugged each other. She said ‘Mommy, I made honor roll,” Paula told WBNS. “She said ‘Mommy, I’m looking forward to coming home.”


As Blavity previously reported, the family's plans were destroyed when officers responded to a call about an attempted stabbing and fired multiple shots at Ma’khia, who they said was holding a knife as she was caught up in the middle of a brawl between two other girls. 

The family, however, said the honor roll student was fending off a physical assault when police arrived. 

“My daughter dispatched Columbus police for protection, not to be a homicide today,” Paula said. 

The grieving mother described her loved one as someone who would promote peace.

“Ma’Khia had a motherly nature about her," the heartbroken woman said. "That is something that I want to always be remembered.”

Hazel Bryant, who identified herself as the aunt of the 15-year-old, demanded for police to tell the truth.

"You ain't gonna have her go out like that. Either you report the truth or don't report nothing," Hazel said. "She was 15 years old. She didn’t deserve to die like a dog in the street.”

Interim police chief Michael Woods said the officer will be “taken off the street.”

“This is a tragic incident for all involved, but especially for the family of the female,” Woods said. 

Witnesses became more outraged at the scene on Tuesday when one of the officers allegedly shouted "blue lives matter." A woman identified as Tay Jones on Facebook posted a live video as residents expressed their anger with the police. 

Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther described the shooting as a “heartbreaking situation.”

“The city of Columbus lost a 15-year-old girl," he told reporters. "We know based on this footage the officer took action to protect another young girl in our community. But a family’s grieving tonight, and this young 15-year-old girl will never be coming home.”