An Ohio grand jury has declined to indict eight police officers who fired 94 shots, resulting in the death of 25-year-old Black man Jayland Walker last summer. The incident occurred after Walker fired at least one round at officers during a car and foot chase. The shooting, which lasted just under seven seconds, left Walker with 46 bullet wounds.
The state’s investigation revealed that Walker ignored commands to stop and show his hands, reaching for his waistband and raising his hands as officers pursued him. Unaware that Walker had left his gun in the car, the officers believed he was going to fire again.
Walker’s family and supporters have called the grand jury’s decision brutal and senseless, urging Akron residents to protest for justice and change peacefully.
Democratic U.S. Representative Emilia Sykes of Akron plans to request a Department of Justice investigation into the patterns and practices of the Akron Police Department.
Bobby DiCello, an attorney representing Walker’s family, criticized the state’s investigation, saying the police gunned down Walker execution-style. The city will begin an internal investigation into the shooting, while the involved officers will remain on administrative duties.
Click play to listen to the report from AURN White House Correspondent Ebony McMorris. For more news, follow @E_N_McMorris & @aurnonline.
