Ta'anaezah Austin Attempted Murder of CMPD Officer

Tanaezah Austin the black woman who tried to run over a white CMPD Officer responding to a street take over, was released from the Mecklenburg County Jail at 2:49 am this morning.

Ta'anaezah Austin Photo Courtesy MCSO

Despite being charged with AWDW on a government official and her prior arrests she was was given only a $3,000 cash bond by magistrate Williams-McNair.

Typically a bondsman and $300 would be enough to gain her release.

Austin will have a court hearing at 1:30 this afternoon.

According to CMPD's Affidavit:

On March 1st, 2026, at approximately 0325 hours, Officers responded to traffic control call for service in the parking lot of the Harris Teeter located at 4701 Smith Farm Road.

A Call comments advised that several vehicles were doing donuts in the parking lot.

Upon arrival, officers encountered street takeover and attempted to get the vehicles to leave the parking lot. During this time, Officers attempted to get out with several of the vehicles and participants in the street takeover event. 

Officer was out of his vehicle and approached black Kia Optima (NC LKJ8903) as it was attempting to leave the parking lot. The driver stopped the vehicle, and (the) Officer began to walk in front of the vehicle to approach it from the driver's side. As he walked in front of the vehicle, the driver then began to accelerate rapidly and struck Officer causing him to roll over the hood of the vehicle. It is important to note, Officer was in his CMPD uniform and was giving the driver verbal commands to stop prior to being stuck by the vehicle. 

Officer was standing directly in front of the vehicle prior to being struck and could be clearly seen by the driver.

Officer was then able to call out the vehicle's tag as it was driving out of the parking lot.

Based on the vehicle's tag, Officer was able to positively identify the registered owner as the driver of the vehicle.

Officer was transported to the hospital for his injuries.

Cedar's Take:

Oddly MCSO listed the arrest as "See Paperwork for Charge" and CMPD's PIO offered nothing but crickets. 

Had the Officer used deadly force to stop the threat you can imagine the endless coverage by the CMPD PIO and Local Media. But because only the Officer was injured silence. 

The bond was shockingly low and I'm sure the suspect has not a clue how close she came to becoming a cause for protest. Maybe a judge will revoke her bond and set one more appropriate for the charges?