The estate of Ta’Kiya Young, a 21-year-old pregnant mother who was fatally shot by Blendon Township police officer Connor Grubb outside a Kroger in August 2023, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit in Franklin County Common Pleas Court.
The lawsuit filed by Nadine Young, Ta’Kiya’s grandmother, names Officer Connor Grubb, The Kroger Corporation, and an unnamed Kroger employee as defendants. Attorneys Sean Walton and the team at Attorney Michael Wright are representing the estate, with attorney Anthony Pierson also serving as co-counsel.
Background of the Case
On August 24, 2023, a Kroger employee flagged down a Blendon Township officer about an alleged shoplifting incident involving Ms. Young. Officers confronted Ms. Young in the store parking lot. As body camera footage shows, Officer Grubb positioned himself in front of Ms. Young’s vehicle. Moments later, as the vehicle moved forward, Officer Grubb discharged his weapon through the windshield, striking Ms. Young in the chest. She later died at a nearby hospital, along with her unborn daughter.
Ms. Young is survived by her two young sons, ages eight and five. Her grandmother, Nadine Young, has spoken publicly about the profound loss their family continues to endure.
Allegations in the Lawsuit
The estate’s lawsuit alleges that:
- Officer Grubb used excessive and deadly force in violation of Blendon Township policy.
- Grubb escalated the encounter rather than de-escalating, despite clear evidence that Ms. Young had attempted to steer away from him.
- The Kroger employee, who was not a trained loss prevention worker, improperly flagged down officers in violation of Kroger’s internal security policy, directly escalating the situation.
The complaint states:
“Ms. Young was executed for a minor and unverified shoplifting allegation, a tragic and inexcusable example of police misconduct and abuse of power.”
Criminal Proceedings Against Officer Grubb
In August 2024, a Franklin County grand jury indicted Officer Grubb on charges of murder and involuntary manslaughter. His trial is scheduled for November 2025, with the Montgomery County Prosecutor’s Office handling the case. Grubb is currently on unpaid leave from the Blendon Township Police Department.
Moving Forward
The legal team at Attorney Michael Wright remains committed to seeking justice for Ta’Kiya Young, her children, and her family. We believe this case highlights the devastating consequences of excessive force and the failure to follow proper protocols by both law enforcement and corporate entities.