Columbus Police Department Officer Nicholas Reardon has been identified as the officer who shot and killed 16-year-old Ma’Khia Bryant on Wednesday. In addition to identifying the officer who killed the teenager, the police force added more details to their public account of what led to her death.
The police claim that they received a call informing them of an altercation between a group of girls. Bryant’s family adds that she was attempting to protect herself from a group of girls that were being aggressive towards her.
Working alone, Reardon arrived at the address provided to the officers through the call. Video shows Reardon moving through the crosswalk as a group of officers can be heard shouting as the altercation takes place. As Reardon arrives at the scene, he can be heard asking, “What’s going on?” He eventually yells, “Get down!” Then, he fires what appears to be four shots at Bryant.
“She had a knife. She just went at her,” Reardon said.
“She’s a f***ing kid, man! Damn,” a bystander shouts.
In the aftermath of the shooting, he attempts to administer first aid, but she pronounced dead shortly thereafter.
Further examination of the video released by police shows that no more than 12 seconds pass from the time Reardon closes the door to his police vehicle to the time he fires his first shot.
“It’s a tragedy,” interim police chief Mike Woods said.
“Regardless of the circumstances associated with this, a 16-year-old girl lost her life yesterday. I sure as hell wish it hadn’t happened.”
Moving forward, Reardon will remain on administrative leave. Meanwhile, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation will investigate the incident.
