Ma’Khia Bryant’s mother speaks out after fatal police shooting

The mother of an Ohio teen who was fatally shot by a police officer said Wednesday that the incident “never should have happened.”

Ma’Khia Bryant, 16, was killed Tuesday afternoon in east Columbus. Initial body camera footage released by investigators shows the teen attacking two other people with what appeared to be a knife before a responding officer fired multiple shots, fatally wounding her.

“This never should have happened,” the teen’s mother, Paula Bryant, told local station 10TV while a tear streamed down her face. “She’s a loving girl.”

Police say they were called to the scene around 4:30 p.m. following a report of someone attempting to stab others at a home.

The bodycam footage shows that as soon as police pulled up, a young girl tackles another girl to the ground and had what appeared to be a knife in her hand. The girl can then be seen charging at another female while raising the knife in the air. That is the point at which the officer opened fire. 

“She came at them with a knife,” the officer can be heard saying as police tended to Ma’Khia Bryant on the ground.

The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is handling the shooting. The officer who pulled the trigger – who has not been identified – has been taken off the streets, authorities said. Police also are expected to release more body camera footage of the shooting on Wednesday, reports say.

“I’m very upset, I’m hurt. I want answers,” Paula Bryant told 10TV. “My daughter dispatched Columbus police for protection, not to be a homicide today,” she added.

Police have not revealed who initially called officers to the scene. 

Hazel Bryant, who identified herself as the victim’s aunt, said that her teenage niece picked up a knife to defend herself during a fight with other people in the neighborhood. 

“Police rolled up, shot my niece four times,” Hazel Bryant said.