Deters: After crash, man who killed Springdale Officer Kaia Grant shot himself in the head
After Terry Blankenship intentionally drove his pickup into two police cars last month, killing Springdale police Officer Kaia Grant, he shot himself, prosecutors said Wednesday.
Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters said in a news release that after the March 21 crash – as Blankenship's pickup was stopped at the side of Interstate 275 – Blankenship shot himself, causing "extensive facial injuries as the result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head."
In the news release, Deters said the impact of the crash activated Grant's body camera, and a single gunshot can be heard on the video.
A loaded .45-caliber handgun was found in Blankenship's pickup. No shots were fired by any police officers on the scene, Deters said.
Also Wednesday, Deters announced at a news conference that Blankenship, 42, has been charged with aggravated murder and will likely face the death penalty.
"I can promise you we're going to seek justice for Officer Grant," he said.
Officer Grant, a seven-year veteran of the department, was likely preparing to throw a tire-deflation device on the highway, officials said. Springdale police Sgt. Andrew Davis had pulled up and was assisting Grant.
At about 8:15 p.m., officials said Blankenship drove his pickup directly toward the officers, who ran for cover.
Blankenship plowed into the patrol cars. The impact caused Grant’s body to go airborne, cross the highway barrier and land on the opposite side of the highway, according to Deters.
Davis, a 30-year veteran, suffered minor injuries.
Grant was taken by helicopter to University of Cincinnati Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead. She was 33 years old.
Blankenship had been wanted by Blanchester police since March 19, when officials say he broke into his estranged wife's trailer and threatened her boyfriend at gunpoint.
After a struggle over the gun, police said Blankenship pistol-whipped the man before fleeing.
According to Deters, in text messages to his estranged wife and in conversations with his mother, Blankenship made statements indicating "police would have to kill him (because) he was not willing to go back to jail."