Columbus authorities investigating police shooting of teen girl

Authorities in Columbus, Ohio, are investigating a police shooting that killed a teen girl in the city.

Mayor Andrew Ginther (D) said body-camera footage of the shooting, which happened just minutes before the conviction of former police officer Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd, is being reviewed and that members of the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) were on the scene. 

“This afternoon a young woman tragically lost her life. We do not know all of the details. There is body-worn camera footage of the incident. We are working to review it as soon as possible. BCI is on the scene conducting an independent investigation … as they do with all CPD-involved shootings,” Ginther tweeted. 

“We will share information that we can as soon as it becomes available. I’m asking for residents to remain calm and allow BCI to gather the facts.”

— as they do with all CPD-involved shootings. We will share information that we can as soon as it becomes available. I’m asking for residents to remain calm and allow BCI to gather the facts.

— Mayor Andrew Ginther (@MayorGinther) April 20, 2021

Neither the teen killed nor the officer involved in the shooting have been identified.

The Columbus Police Department was not immediately available for comment Tuesday night.

Local media reported that police received a call about an attempted stabbing. The shooting was called in shortly after officers arrived on the scene.

No other person was injured in the incident.

Hazel Bryant told The Columbus Dispatch that she is the aunt of the 15-year-old girl who was shot. She said the girl had a knife but dropped it before being shot. 

Protesters were seen rallying against the police after the incident, which comes at a time of heightened national tension over police use of force.

Video from Legion Lane: pic.twitter.com/bdEdl0BUDo

— Marc Kovac (@ohiocapitalblog) April 21, 2021

Chauvin’s trial had set the nation on edge following his high-profile killing last May of Floyd in Minneapolis. He was convicted Tuesday of second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.