DJ Envy Catches Heat After Saying Ma'Khia Bryant Shooting Was Justified

BY Erika Marie 27.2K Views
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DJ Envy
Charlamagne Tha God & DJ Envy clashed over the case of the 16-year-old who was killed by Ohio police earlier this week.

The great debate about the Ma'Khia Bryant case has found its way to The Breakfast Club. Earlier this week, 16-year-old Ma'Khia Bryant was shot and killed by Columbus, Ohio police officer Nicholas Reardon. Reardon was responding to a call allegedly made by Ma'Khia or her sister after several women repeatedly showed up to her foster home to fight her. When Reardon approached the scene, he was immediately confronted by Ma'Khia and another person fighting each other. During the fray, Ma'Khia was holding a knife and looked to be attacking a second person before Reardon shot her four times in the chest. 

The polarizing event has one side that applauded Reardon for saving someone's life, while the other side sees Ma'Khia's actions as defending herself. Columbus police, the foster care system, and the adults at the scene have been called into question, and on The Breakfast Club, Charlamagne Tha God and DJ Envy were at odds over if the shooting of Ma'Khia Bryant was justified.

"He definitely could have shot her in the leg or something," said Charlamagne. "But that's not the way police officers operate. That's not the way that they're trained. I think it was excessive and I do not think that young girl should be dead today. Even if this is one that's legally justified, I've heard social workers say they've broken up knife fights. I refuse to believe that was the only way to handle that situation."

DJ Envy took a different stance. "I don't agree with you on this one," he said. "I mean, the cop got a call that said that, you know, these women were jumping somebody. They hop out the car and see a woman going at another woman with a knife. Yeah, maybe, if they would have shot her in the foot, or shot her in the leg, who's to say she still couldn't stab the young girl."

Charlamagne asked Envy if he thought shooting the teen "four times was excessive." Envy, answered, "No. I honestly don't." His co-host seemed stunned by his answer. "And the reason I don't think that is because everybody sees one side," Envy continued. "Think about the other side. Think about if that was your daughter."

His co-host chimed in to vocalize his disagreement, saying that he's a father and couldn't imagine shooting a teen in that scenario. Charlamagne also stated that police have used deadly force on citizens without provocation, and without the victim being armed or posing an alleged threat. Envy was unfazed. Check out the clip, and a few responses, below.

About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.

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