The police officer who shot and killed a pregnant 21-year-old Black woman in Columbus, Ohio, pleaded not guilty to murder charges via video conference Wednesday.

Connor Grubb, a Blendon Township police officer, faces four counts of murder, four counts of felonious assault and two counts of involuntary manslaughter in the killing of Ta’Kiya Young in the parking lot of a local Kroger grocery store on August 24, 2023. Young, who was seven months pregnant, was given medical aid by the officers but did not survive.    

“Connor is 29 years old with no record whatsoever. He is married, he has two children, your honor, they are young,” his attorney Mark Collins said. “He is a lifelong resident of central Ohio both his wife’s parents and his parents live in central Ohio.”

The judge, citing Grubb’s “clean record” and considering “it’s been over a year since the events occurred,” set his bond at $250,000. He also ordered Grubb not to possess a firearm and submit travel documents including his passport. [MORE]