Grand jury clears Ohio police officer in shooting of teenager Ma’Khia Bryant

COLUMBUS, Ohio — An Ohio grand jury on Friday declined to bring charges against a Columbus police officer who fatally shot a 16-year-old last year.

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The panel declined to charge Officer Nicholas Reardon, who fatally shot Ma’Khia Bryant on April 20, 2021. According to the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office and the Fraternal Order of Police, the grand jury issued a “no bill,” which means they did not find probable cause that a crime was committed, WSYX-TV reported.

Reardon shot Bryant after the teen appeared to be charging at another girl while holding a knife during a fight outside a home in Columbus. Bryant was taken to an area hospital, where she was pronounced dead, WBNS-TV reported.

Body camera footage released by the Columbus Police Department showed Nicholas Reardon firing four shots.

The coroner listed the cause of death as a homicide -- a medical determination used in cases where someone has died at someone else’s hand, The Associated Press reported. It was not a legal finding and did not imply criminal intent.

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An autopsy report for Bryant showed she sustained four gunshot wounds -- one in her back, one in her lower torso, one in her right shoulder and another in her right thigh, according to WBNS.

“Under Ohio law, the use of deadly force by a police officer is justified when there exists an immediate or imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury to the officer or another,” special prosecutors Tim Merkle and Gary Shroyer told reporters.

The woman Bryant was attacking, Shai-onta Craig, had formerly lived at the home, according to a statement by Craig that was released on Friday, the AP reported.

After the grand jury’s decision, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost released Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigations investigative files, WSYX reported.

“BCI was called to do a thorough, independent investigation of the facts,” Yost said in a statement. “I’ve asked for patience while promising transparency, and now is the appropriate time for that work to be made public.”

Michelle Martin, the attorney for Bryant’s family, released a statement that said the teen’s family was disappointed with the decision, WBNS reported.

“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,” Martin 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.

“As the one-year anniversary of Ma’Khia’s death approaches, her family is resolute in their fight for justice on her behalf.”

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