More than a week after 16-year-old Ma'Khia Bryant was killed by a police officer in Ohio, Bryant's family is working hard to hold others accountable. In a recent statement, the Bryants' family attorney Michelle Martin called on federal investigators to look into the local police department and foster care system.
“We’ll be calling for a couple federal investigations. One being from the Health and Human Services asking that we look into Ohio’s foster care system, starting here in Franklin County. We’re also going to be calling for a Department of Justice investigation into the shooting. And we’re still investigating who else could be at fault, because this can’t happen again,” Martin said during a recent press conference.
The Ohio Bureau of Investigation has announced that they will look into the shooting, but they have not yet announced any plans to investigate the Columbus Police Department.
Adding to the press conference, Bryant's mother, Paula Bryant, followed Martin by speaking to her daughter's character. While most of the discussion of her daughter's life has revolved around her death, Paula Bryant hopes to add more context to how her daughter lived.
“I want the world to know my baby was a talented, bubbly, loving teenager,” Bryant told reporters.
“She never should’ve been gone from this world. She had a full life ahead of her that ended in tragedy. I love my baby. She was a good little girl.”
Ma'Khia Bryant is scheduled to be laid to rest on April 30 at First Church of God in Columbus, Ohio. Just three months earlier, the church celebrated the life of Andre Hill, another young Black Columbus resident who was killed by police. Much like Hill's service, Bryant's funeral will be open to the public.
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