protests in Ohio after the death of a young black woman killed by police

Less than an hour before the conviction of ex-policeman Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd, a new case has come to fuel outrage against police brutality and racism in the United States. Tuesday, April 20, a black teenage girl was shot and killed by police in Columbus, Ohio (northern United States). The facts occurred when she appeared to be attacking another person with a knife. Protests erupted in the city after his death.

According to city police chief Michael Woods, officers responded to an emergency call on Tuesday afternoon, around 4:30 p.m. (8:30 p.m. GMT), from a person who feared being attacked in stabbing.

Police broadcast video of the scene

The police also released part of the video of the pedestrian camera carried by the police officer who shot the teenager. The latter was identified as 16-year-old Ma’Khia Bryant by the Franklin County Children’s Services in Columbus.

“We thought it was important to share with the community, to be transparent about this incident, to let them have some answers that we can provide tonight”, said Michael Woods.

Columbus, Ohio Police have released the Bodycam footage of the officer involved shooting. The suspect posed an immi… https://t.co/25wm2JxaLk

– GLFOP (@National Fraternal Order of Police (FOP))

Video footage shows police arriving at the scene of a fight, with a small crowd of spectators. A teenage girl attacks another with what appears to be a knife, gunshots are heard and the girl collapses to the ground. The policeman then throws a knife away from the teenager.

Mayor Andrew Ginther called “Horrible and overwhelming situation” the death of the young girl, evoking “A tragic day for the city of Columbus” and asking locals to pray for the teenager’s family.

According to the mayor, the policeman whose name has not been made public “Acted to protect another young girl in our community”. The mother of the slain teenager Paula Bryant told local CBS that her daughter was “Very loving, peaceful” and “Defended the peace”.