Jayland Walker shooting: New shock footage shows moment Akron police kill unarmed 25-year-old black man

SHOCKING footage has been released revealing the moment Akron police killed an unarmed 25-year-old black man.

At a July 3 news conference, Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan and Akron Police Chief Steve Mylett released body camera footage from the night Jayland Walker was killed.

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According to police, the incident began around 12:30 am on June 27 when Jayland Walker refused to stop his vehicle for a traffic violation and an equipment violation.

A pursuit ensued, with officers reporting that Walker fired a gun from his vehicle.

As the chase continued and Walker’s vehicle slowed, he reportedly exited the car while it was still moving, wearing a ski mask.

Officials say they then attempted to use their tasers to arrest Walker, but those attempts were unsuccessful.

Walker continued to flee on foot to a nearby parking lot, where he then stopped and faced officers, who officials said then began shooting.

The Summit County Medical Examiner’s Office performs an autopsy on Walker to determine the exact cause of death.

Mylett said the coroner initially found more than 60 wounds on Walker’s body, with the exact number of shots fired still to be determined.

Officers reportedly tried to help Walker after they shot him, but he died at the scene.

VIDEO RECORDINGS PUBLISHED

The video’s release is required under an ordinance the city passed in 2021, which requires such footage to be shared within seven days of the incident.

Footage has been released of the eight police officers involved in the shooting, as well as another five officers who reacted to the scene but did not fire their guns.

A full transcript of the night’s radio traffic has also been released.

The eight officers involved – including six white men, one white woman and one black man – have been placed on paid administrative leave in accordance with established police department procedures.

None of the eight officers have substantiated complaints or fatal shootings on their files, according to the Akron Police Department.

The Ohio Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation is conducting an independent investigation into the incident.

A handgun, a loaded magazine, and a gold wedding ring were later found in Walker’s vehicle.

But no weapon was found on his body at his death.

“I am asking the public to do one of the hardest things I can ask, which is to be patient and let the Attorney General’s Office of Criminal Investigation do its job,” Horrigan said.

“It is my obligation to be as open and transparent as possible as an independent investigation is ongoing. I trust this investigation to be fair, thorough and just.”

“By formally requesting BCI to conduct this initial investigation, I believe we are following best practice and what many communities across the country are doing now,” Mylett said.

“Using an independent body to conduct the investigation will be another step in building trust and accountability for our citizens.”

Deputy Mayor Marco Sommerville said the release of the footage was a change the community “has been asking for for decades.”

“From here on, we must be patient and allow this investigation to run its course. I demand peace for our city throughout this process.”

AKRON POLICE AND MAYOR RESPONSE TO SHOOTING

Horrigan and Mylett released a joint statement on June 29 in response to the shooting.

“We know that no police officer ever wants to fire their service pistol on duty. And whenever they have to, it’s a dark day for our city, for the families of those involved, as well as for officials,” the statement begins.

“Tragically, we are once again confronted with a young man whose life ended before him too soon. Every single life is precious, and the loss of every life is absolutely devastating to our entire community.

“Our prayers are with Jayland Walker’s family and we extend our sincere condolences to all who knew him. Our thoughts are also with our Akron Police Officers and their families.

The statement goes further, assuring citizens that the bodycam footage would be released in the coming days.

“We keep our promise to the community and understand that without transparency and consistent engagement there can be no trust.

“We have every confidence in the Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation to conduct a thorough, fair and honest investigation. We will fully cooperate with this investigation and have made it a top priority for our employees.

“As a city, we are committed to this process and trust it will lead to a fuller understanding of this incident.”

At the July 3 press conference, Horrigan added, “I fully support our residents’ right to peaceful assembly, but I hope the community can agree that violence and destruction is not the answer.”

THE AKRON COMMUNITY RESPONDS

Shortly after the footage was released, hundreds of members of the Akron community took to the streets.

Demonstrators rallied to condemn the actions of the police and officers involved.

The demonstration was organized by the NAACP chapter in Akron.

Many carried “Justice for Jayland” signs and could be heard shouting, “No more dying.”

The Walker family have also released statements through their attorneys.

“They want to turn him into a masked monster with a gun,” Bobby DiCello, the family’s lead attorney, told The Daily Beast.

DiCello’s colleague Ken Abbarno agreed, saying, “Officials must be held accountable for their every action.”

“We live in a society where we can never experience anything like this again.”

“The Walker family prays for peace, they ask for peace, they pray for accountability,” Abbarno said after Sunday’s news conference.

“We can’t disparage Jayland.”

AKRON cancels July 4th celebrations

Also in response to the shooting, the city of Akron canceled its Rib, White, & Blue Festival.

The festival was supposed to take place from July 1st to 4th.

In a statement released by the city, residents were urged to find other plans and ways to celebrate the bank holiday weekend.

“I fully understand that some residents and guests will be disappointed with the decision to cancel the festival this bank holiday weekend,” Horrigan said in a statement.

“Independence Day is meant to be a celebration and a time to get together with friends and family.

“Unfortunately, I have a strong feeling that this is not the time for a city-led celebration.”

The city also said all vendors and musical performances scheduled to perform at the festival will be compensated.