Akron shooting

2022 - 7 - 3

A Black man who was killed by police was unarmed at the time of ... (NPR)

AKRON, Ohio — A Black man shot and killed by Akron police officers in a hail of bullets following a vehicle and foot pursuit was unarmed at the time of the ...

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Body Camera Footage of Jayland Walker Shooting Raises Questions (The New York Times)

AKRON, Ohio — A 25-year-old Black man who was killed last week by police officers in Akron, Ohio, suffered more than 60 gunshot wounds but was unarmed at ...

The family’s lawyers also questioned the city’s release of only parts of the videos at the news conference and urged that it release all of the video. This, they said, would include footage from the eight officers involved directly in the shooting along with five others who were at the scene. One day after more than 100 demonstrators gathered just outside downtown, chanting and holding signs, protests continued with hundreds participating in a march and rally at City Hall organized by the Akron N.A.A.C.P. Mr. DiCello criticized how the police portrayed Mr. Walker in the news conference. The decision of whether to charge the officers involved with a crime will be determined by prosecutors, but charges have rarely been filed in similar cases of shootings involving the police. The chase was brief, and footage appears to show a number of officers pursuing Mr. Walker, weapons drawn, into a nearby parking lot while shouting at him. Seconds later, Mr. Walker, wearing a ski mask, exits the vehicle and begins to flee on foot. A few seconds later, the officers open fire, and Mr. Walker drops to the ground. In one video, a popping sound can be heard at one point, and an officer reports gunfire coming from the door of Mr. Walker’s car. At a news conference on Sunday, the police released body camera videos of the pursuit and shooting that showed officers’ actions but deepened many questions around his death, which remains under investigation. Mr. Walker’s girlfriend died recently in a car accident. A still photo released by the police showed a handgun on the seat, along with a gold ring.

Akron police release body-cam video in fatal shooting of Jayland ... (The Guardian)

Officials brace for fresh protests after 25-year-old Black man was killed running from officers during a traffic stop.

On Saturday, a crowd of more than 100 gathered outside the city courthouse and chanted: “No justice, no peace, prosecute the police.” Walker had been shot in the face, abdomen and upper legs, the report said, adding that a weapon was recovered from his vehicle. “In response to this threat, officers discharged their firearms, striking the suspect.” Mylett later said that stills from the incident appeared to show that Walker had moved his hand toward his waistband, and forward. “Unfortunately, I feel strongly that this is not the time for a city-led celebration.” Akron officials’ anxiety over Walker’s killing and the response to the release of the body-cam video has been palpable.

Akron police release video of officers shooting Black man dozens of ... (The Washington Post)

AKRON, Ohio — Police on Sunday released body-camera footage showing officers firing dozens of rounds at a Black man who left his car while fleeing a traffic ...

“This wasn’t self-defense, it wasn’t an accident in the heat of the moment, it was murder. As of Sunday afternoon, none of the officers involved in the shooting had provided statements, Mylett said. At an NAACP rally in front of Akron City Hall, organizers, members of activist groups and some of Walker’s relatives often shouted to be heard over the persistent drone of helicopters overhead. “When an officer makes the most critical decision in his or her life as a police officer, when they fire an arm at another human being, they have to be ready to explain why they did what they did — they need to be able to articulate what specific threats they were facing,” he said. “I know that no amount of grief or prayer will bring Jayland back, but please know the city mourns with you,” Horrigan said. “He obviously was in pain. Walker exited the expressway, jumped out of the car and ran. Images from overhead captured a flash at the door of the vehicle as Walker drove on an expressway. He said shots continued after Walker was on the ground. Police tried to stop Walker’s Buick at about 12:30 a.m. Monday for investigation of an unspecified traffic violation and chased him when he did not pull over, the Akron Police Department said. Walker was pronounced dead in the parking lot. Evidence indicates that Walker fired a gun from inside his vehicle during the car chase, Mylett said.

Akron police release 'heartbreaking' footage of Jayland Walker ... (USA TODAY)

Akron police said Jayland Walker refused to stop his car and fired at officers during a chase that ended in a hail of bullets and his death.

“I completely understand that some residents and guests will be disappointed by the decision to cancel the festival this holiday weekend," Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan said in a statement. Akron's chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police said in a statement Sunday the independent investigation will prove the actions, including the number of shots fired by the officers, were justified. "The question about whether anyone gets charged with a crime is: did they reasonably believe someone's life is in danger at that point?" Walker had been shot in the face, abdomen and upper legs, the report said, adding that a weapon was recovered from his vehicle. "It was difficult to watch, and shocking," Mylett said, adding that "I'm not going to pass judgment" until the investigation is completed. Police said Walker, a 25-year-old DoorDash driver, refused to stop his car and fired at officers during a chase. Mylett said the police response changed when they believed Walker was shooting. The chief said that when the shooting stopped the officers immediately attempted to provide care to Walker, but that he died at the scene. The Summit County Medical Examiner’s Office said Walker died from multiple gunshot wounds and ruled it a homicide. “This wasn't self-defense, it wasn't an accident in the heat of the moment, it was murder. But he apparently was unarmed as he fled the car and ran from police, the chief said. Walker apparently exits the car in a ski mask, and Police Chief Stephen Mylett said it appeared that Walker reached toward his waist during a foot chase and briefly turned toward officers.

'He was outgunned, outmanned.' Akron leaders condemn shooting ... (Akron Beacon Journal)

Various Akron clergy and activists offered their thoughts on video footage of Jayland Walker's shooting by Akron police.

I’m not looking for nothing from the governor. I’m not looking for nothing from the mayor. "I’m not looking for nothing from the police department. I’m looking for something from the Lord. He will execute the judgment and righteousness in the land.” We just try to assist people and aid folks so they don’t hurt themselves and they don’t get into unnecessary clashes with the obviously murderous APD." “It sounded like fireworks, and for me, that hurts me,” Jenkins said. I think in this instance, I would respect them better if they would say, ‘We made a mistake.’ If they would say, ‘Maybe we shouldn't have used so much force.’” Jenkins' main concern is that he did not see any evidence of Walker threatening police or of police using deescalation techniques in the video. “That’s why we’re volunteering to help people who may not be so good with holding their emotions, and I don’t fault them for not knowing how to deal with this.” As for the community at large? “There’s no good reason, and the video confirmed that. “There’s no way that anyone who sees this video is not going to be angry,” she said.