Killing of Jayland Walker

At approximately 2:30 a.m. on June 26, 2022, a New Franklin police officer attempted to pull over a vehicle owned by Walker, because the car had a broken taillight and a missing license plate bulb. The driver failed to stop and drove at speeds approaching 50 mph on city streets before crossing the Akron city line into Coventry Township, at which point the pursuing officer ended the less-than-three-minute chase. == Incident ==

According to the Akron Police Department, at about 12:30 a.m. on June 27, 2022, police in Akron, Ohio, attempted to stop Walker for a traffic violation on unspecified equipment failure. exited from the passenger's side, and ran towards a nearby parking lot. Officers chased Walker and attempted to stop him with a stun gun but were not successful. After about ten seconds of chasing Walker, eight police officers opened fire for six or seven seconds, shooting approximately 90 rounds. According to police, officers attempted to administer first aid to Walker after he was shot. Walker was pronounced dead at the scene. No firearm was found on Walker's body. The Summit County Medical Examiner’s Office has ruled his death a homicide. == Investigation ==

Police recovered a pistol, a loaded magazine, and a wedding ring on the driver's seat of Walker's car. A bullet casing that police say is consistent with the recovered pistol was found along the highway in the area where police say Walker fired. The eight officers who opened fire were placed on paid administrative leave following standard protocol in a police shooting. On October 11, the officers were reinstated to administrative duties. Police Chief Steve Mylett said he was forced to do so because of a shortage of officers. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation led the probe into the shooting. On April 17, 2023, a grand jury declined to file charges against any of the officers involved. == Body camera footage ==

On July 3, 2022, police held a press conference and released body camera video from the eight officers who opened fire, as well as five additional officers on the scene. At the press conference, police displayed still images that they say showed a muzzle flash coming from Walker's vehicle during the highway chase. Police also displayed still images that they say showed Walker reaching towards his waist area during the foot chase, turning towards an officer, and making "a forward motion of his arm". The body camera footage released by police ends after the officers opened fire and does not depict what happened afterwards. == Reactions ==

The day of the shooting, protesters gathered outside the police department in downtown Akron. Standoffs with police and tense moments occurred. Barricades were installed around the police department on July 2. Protests went on for more than three days straight. Akron officials announced that the July 4 celebrations would be cancelled due to the shooting. The curfew was lifted on July 17, 2022. In November 2022 voters approved creating a permanent police oversight board and police auditor for the Akron Police Department. Family reaction to grand jury decision The Walker family attorney, Bobby DiCello: Walker’s family is going to prepare a civil lawsuit against the city/officers closer to the one-year anniversary of Jayland Walker's death (his client's death). On April 19, protesters broke windows at three restaurants in the Highland Square neighborhood, Wally Waffle, Chipotle, and Irie Jamaican Kitchen. == See also ==