8 officers who shot at Jayland Walker return to duty due to staffing shortage, police chief says

The eight Ohio police officers who fired dozens of rounds at Jayland Walker, a 25-year-old Black man, following a car and foot chase have returned to duty.

Akron Police Chief Steve Mylett said in a statement Tuesday that the officers were back at work on Monday. They had been placed on paid administrative leave following the June 27 fatal shooting.

According to the chief, the officers were back on duty to alleviate a staffing shortage, adding that the decision "was not made in haste" but after "honest, difficult" conversations with community leaders.