Family of Teen Killed by OH Officer During Knife Attack wants Federal Investigation
“We are here, and we're going to investigate every agency that had a time and an opportunity to prevent Ma’Khia’s death,” Attorney Michelle Martin said. “We will push for those investigations beyond this shooting. All systems failed her.”

Ma'Khia Bryant charges at Tionna Bonner with what appears to be a knife. (Photo: Still from Officer Nicholas Reardon's body camera)
The attorney for the family of Ma’Khia Bryant said in a press conference Wednesday that they will be calling for federal investigations into the April 20 killing of the 16-year-old girl.
Attorney Michelle Martin of The Martin Law Firm said she will be fighting to see a Health and Human Services investigation into Ohio's foster care system, which Bryant was a part of. She is also calling for an investigation from the Department of Justice into the shooting, ABC reports.
“We are here, and we're going to investigate every agency that had a time and an opportunity to prevent Ma’Khia’s death,” Martin said. “We will push for those investigations beyond this shooting. All systems failed her.”
“We got these grown girls over here trying to fight us. Trying to stab us,” a female voice says on the 911 call, which Interim Police Chief Michael Woods played at an April 21 press conference. “Get here now!"
Officer Nicholas Reardon was dispatched three minutes after the 911 call, according to Columbus officials.
Body camera footage shows Reardon arrived on the scene at approximately 4:44 p.m. and exited the car to see Bryant rushing toward 20-year-old Shai-Onta Lana Craig-Watkins with a kitchen knife and then charging at 22-year-old Tionna Bonner with the knife and appearing to launch a stabbing or slashing attack.
Reardon then yelled “Get down!” and shot Bryant four times, 11 seconds after he exited his vehicle.
More Patrol

Team Wendy Introduces the EXFIL Endurance Ballistic Helmet, Engineered to Reduce the Burden of Extended Wear
Team Wendy has launched its EXFIL Endurance, a new lightweight ballistic helmet engineered to deliver protection, comfort, and fit during demanding, extended operations.
Read More →
The First Responders Children’s Foundation National First Responders Day Roll Call of Heroes Ceremony Returns to Times Square, NYC
First Responders Children’s Foundation (FRCF), in collaboration with T-Mobile, will host the Roll Call of Heroes ceremony in Times Square to commemorate National First Responders Day on Wednesday, Oct. 28. During the event, FRCF will present 18 Hero Awards.
Read More →
Streamlight to Showcase Newest Lighting Products for Law Enforcement Professionals at IACP 2026
Streamlight will showcase its newest lights for law enforcement at the International Association of Chiefs of Police Annual Conference & Expo. Featured lights will include the TLR-3 X, the PolyTac 1X, and more.
Read More →
Streamlight Portable Scene Light III Wins 2026 OH&S New Product of the Year Award
Streamlight’s Portable Scene Light III has won the 2026 Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) New Product of the Year Award in the Lighting category.
Read More →
Adept Armor Introduces Two New Rifle Plates
Adept Armor has launched two new Level IV ballistic plates, the Emperor and the Archon Mark 2, which brings Adept Armor’s new Quatroid ceramic to the high-threat, performance-value center of the range at 5.2 pounds.
Read More →
POLICE Product Test: Benchmade Bailout
The Benchmade Bailout is a slim, lightweight carry knife with a deep-ride pocket clip and comes in a variety of blade steels and scales. Here is a detailed review of the Taiga Green Bailout, released earlier this year.
Read More →
NLEOMF Announces July 2026 Officer of the Month
NLEOMF honored a Michigan deputy sheriff as the July 2026 Officer of the Month for rescuing a trapped driver from a burning vehicle following a Fourth of July crash.
Read More →
Streamlight to Showcase Newest Lighting Products at National Safety Council’s Safety Congress & Expo 2026
Streamlight will showcase its latest lights, including the Portable Scene Light III and the LiteBox 1Million, at the 2026 National Safety Council (NSC) Safety Congress & Expo.
Read More →
The 2027 World Police & Fire Games Set for Perth, Australia
The 2027 World Police & Fire Games (WPFG) will take place in Perth, Western Australia, from Friday, March 12 through Sunday, March 21, 2027.
Read More →
5.11 Partners with National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to Support #ForThe343
5.11 has joined the nationwide movement honoring the 343 New York City Fire Department firefighters lost on Sept. 11, 2001.
Read More →