No charges for officers in Jayland Walker police shooting
CTV
An Ohio grand jury declined to indict eight police officers who fired 94 shots in the death of Jayland Walker, a 25-year-old Black man who fired at least one round at officers during a car and foot chase last summer, the state's attorney general announced Monday.
An Ohio grand jury declined to indict eight police officers who fired 94 shots in the death of Jayland Walker, a 25-year-old Black man who fired at least one round at officers during a car and foot chase last summer, the state's attorney general announced Monday.
Walker was shot 46 times in a hail of gunfire that lasted just under seven seconds and roiled yet another city amid heightened tensions with police over the killing of a Black man that started with a routine traffic stop.
Akron's mayor and police chief urged residents Monday to protest peacefully, acknowledging that many are angry with the shooting last June that Walker's family has called brutal and senseless.
"Turn toward one other and not on each other," said Mayor Daniel Horrigan.
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said the state's investigation found that Walker jumped out of his still-moving car, ran from police and ignored commands to stop and show his hands. Some of the officers first used Tasers to try and stop Walker, Yost said.
But Walker reached toward his waistband and raised a hand as officers were chasing, Yost said. The officers, not knowing Walker left his gun in the car, believed he was going to fire again, Yost said. He said it is critical to remember that Walker had "shot first."
Responding with tears and frustration at a subsequent press conference, the Walker family and their supporters mourned the grand jury's decision and called on Akron residents to protest loudly for justice and change. Democratic U.S. Rep. Emilia Sykes, of Akron, said she will ask the U.S. Justice Department to investigate "the patterns and practices of the Akron Police Department."
