Police Officer Who Shot Ma’Khia Bryant Was Marksman, Disturbance Originated From Housekeeping Issue

Not long after the verdict on Derek Chauvin was passed, another controversial incident popped up. This is about the fatal shooting of teenager Ma’Khia Bryant who was shot multiple times by a Columbus officer identified as Nicholas Reardon.

Based on the latest report, it appears Reardon was a military-trained marksman. According to a report by the Daily Beast, Reardon joined the Ohio police force in 2019 and is a former US Air National Guardsman who received an expert marksman badge with an M4 carbine rifle.

Reardon is under a lot of heat for the incident that occurred last Apr. 20. He has since been placed on paid leave for the incident that appeared to be domestic.

Through released video footage, the teen appeared to lunge at a girl after which the 23-year-old opened fire. Before firing his firearm, he could be heard telling everyone to get down. After he fired the shots, a man could be heard yelling:

“You shot my baby. Are you f—ing kidding me? Are you f—ing serious?”

Reardon was one of several officers who responded to the 911 call for an alleged stabbing attempt at around 4:30 p.m. on Apr. 20.

"Under any circumstances, that is a horrendous tragedy. But the video shows that there is more to this. It requires us to pause, take a close look at the sequence of events and, though it's not easy, wait for the facts as determined by an independent investigation," Ned Pettus, director of the Columbus Public Safety Department stated.

Reardon’s probation period ended in December 2020. He was never the subject of a complaint or investigation. He also had not received any commendations. The 23-year-old was the son of Sgt. Ed Reardon retired in 2020 after training more than 700 officers.

According to Angela Moore in the latest report from CNN, it appears the ruckus stemmed from a squabble over housekeeping. Tensions erupted when Bryant and two former foster children came to the house to celebrate Moore’s birthday.