Columbus, Ohio police officer Nicolas Reardon won’t be facing charges for the 2021 shooting death of 16-year-old Ma’Khia Bryant, WBNS reports. A grand jury delivered a “no bill” verdict last Friday, affirming they didn’t find enough probable cause among the evidence to prove a crime was committed.
“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. 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,” the family’s attorney, Michelle Martin, said in a statement, according to WBNS.
Reardon was responding to a domestic dispute call when he shot Bryant four times last April. According to the officer’s body camera footage, Reardon appeared on the scene asking Bryant and another woman what was happening when Bryant jumped at the other woman with a knife.
Bryant was transported to Mount Carmel East Hospital where she died from multiple gunshot wounds. Her autopsy report reveals she was hit once in the back, one time in the lower torso, another in the right shoulder and once more in her right thigh. Her cause of death was listed as a homicide.
“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,” Martin continued.
“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. As the one-year anniversary of Ma’Khia’s death approaches, her family is resolute in their fight for justice on her behalf,” the statement continued.
Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther responded to the news, promising an administrative investigation.
Mayor Andrew Ginther expressed gratitude for the grand jury and investigative officers. He also promised there will be an administrative investigation into the Columbus Police Department as well as another look into Bryant’s foster care case.
“I am grateful for the grand jury for their work and to BCI for their investigation. 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,” he said, according to WBNS.
The Fraternal Order of Police president said the verdict was a "good outcome."
Fraternal Order of Police President Jeff Simpson said the jury’s decision to not file charges was “pleasing to hear,” ABC 6 reports.
“The jury decided to return a no bill which means they did not proceed with any criminal charges against officer Reardon and found no criminal act,” Simpson said, per local news outlet ABC 6. “It’s always sad when there is a loss of life, however, the actions of the people at scene, caused him to take action that saved lives and he is trained very well. He did his job, and it is a good outcome.”
