Community raises questions after police shooting death of Ma’Khia Bryant
Written by Vibe Houston Staff on April 22, 2021
New details have emerged in the officer-involved shooting death of 16-year-old Ma’Khia Bryant.
According to new reports, Bryant called the police on a group of girls who had come to her foster home to fight her.
Bryant’s mother, Paula Bryant, told reporters that her daughter was, in fact, the victim.
The officer to arrive at the scene saw Bryant wielding a knife and lunging at one of her alleged attackers.
On the newly-released video, the officer can be seen approaching Bryant and shooting her multiple times as the officer continues to stand pointing his gun at Bryant.
Paula Bryant described her daughter as an honor roll student who was extremely loving and sweet.
“This never should have happened, she’s a loving girl,” the mother said. “I’m very upset. I’m hurt. I want answers. My daughter dispatched the Columbus Police for protection, not to be a homicide today.”
After the release of the new video showing the other responding officer’s view, the question has been posed as to why the officer used the gun and not a taser.
The shooting death of Bryant is another in a long line of police-involved shootings among people of color.
People want to know, was there another way to subdue the teen without killing her? Was deadly force necessary?
