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Blendon Township Pays $150,000 Settlement to Officer Connor Grubb After Acquittal

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Settlement Finalized Following Jury Acquittal Blendon Township and Officer Connor Grubb reached a mutual agreement on February 20, 2026, in which the township will pay Grubb $150,000 to cover lost benefits and potential back‑pay claims after his reinstatement was halted [1]. The payment concludes the department’s financial obligations tied to the case and was approved Friday afternoon [1].

Legal Outcome Clears Grubb of Murder Charges A Franklin County jury in November 2025 found Grubb not guilty of murder, involuntary manslaughter, and felonious assault stemming from the February 2023 fatal shooting of Ta’Kiya Young [1]. Young, who was 25‑28 weeks pregnant, was shot after a Kroger employee flagged her for shoplifting and she accelerated away from an officer’s command [1]. The acquittal removed criminal liability, allowing the settlement to proceed [1].

Administrative Leave History and Policy Review After the shooting, Grubb was placed on paid administrative leave, shifted to unpaid leave in June 2025, and returned to paid leave days after his acquittal [1]. The department’s use‑of‑force board concluded Grubb did not breach policy, though both parties expressed concerns that his return could distract operations and affect officer safety [1]. Young’s family has filed a civil lawsuit against Grubb, the Kroger store, and a Kroger employee, adding a separate legal dimension to the case [1].

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Timeline

Aug 24, 2023 – Officer Connor Grubb fires a single bullet through the windshield of a Kroger parking‑lot vehicle, killing 21‑year‑old pregnant Black mother Ta’Kiya Young and her unborn child; body‑camera footage shows the car moving toward the officer after commands are given [1][3][4].

Aug 2023 – A grand jury indicts Grubb on murder, involuntary manslaughter and felonious assault charges related to the Kroger shooting, prompting his placement on paid administrative leave [4].

June 2025 – Blendon Township moves Grubb from paid to unpaid administrative leave amid ongoing disciplinary review [2].

Nov 2025 – A Franklin County jury finds Grubb not guilty on all counts, clearing him of criminal liability for Young’s death; the verdict triggers a brief return to paid leave [2][3].

Dec 2025 – The five‑member Use‑of‑Force Review Board convenes as required, reviews the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation file, and determines that Grubb did not violate department policy; Chief John Belford independently reviews and concurs with the finding [4].

Jan 8, 2026 – The board’s policy‑review findings are released, with Chief Belford stating, “the decision follows a thorough policy review,” and the report is forwarded to the Board of Trustees for a final employment decision [4][1].

Jan 9, 2026 – The Use‑of‑Force Review Board publicly clears Grubb of any policy breach, noting that “the officer’s actions did not constitute a violation of department policy” [1].

Jan 29, 2026 – The Blendon Township Board of Trustees votes unanimously to reinstate Grubb to active duty after he completes required fitness‑for‑duty evaluations, citing the earlier board clearances [3].

Feb 20, 2026 – Blendon Township and Grubb reach a settlement paying him $150 000 for lost benefits and potential back‑pay, and he departs the department with a mutual agreement not to return to active duty [2].

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