A Black man was unarmed when police in the United States pursued him on foot and killed him in a hail of gunfire, but officers believed he had fired at them from a vehicle earlier and feared he was preparing to fire again, according to authorities.
The 25-year-old Jayland Walker was killed by Akron police during a pursuit that began with an attempted traffic stop.
The mayor described the shooting as “heartbreaking” and pleaded with the community for calm and tolerance.
It is unclear how many shots were fired by the eight involved officers, but Mr. Walker sustained over 60 wounds.
A family attorney for Mr. Walker stated that officers continued to fire even after he was on the ground.
Sunday morning, officers attempted to stop Mr. Walker’s car for unspecified traffic and equipment violations. However, less than a minute into a pursuit, the sound of a gunshot was heard from the car, and a transportation department camera captured what appeared to be a muzzle flash emanating from the vehicle, according to Akron Police Chief Steve Mylett.
This transformed the case from a routine traffic stop to a matter of public safety “, he said.
The minutes that followed the nighttime confrontation are captured on police body camera footage.
Several shouting officers with drawn weapons approach the slowing vehicle on foot as it rolls over the curb and onto the road.
A person wearing a ski mask exits the vehicle through the passenger door and runs toward a parking lot. The police pursue him for approximately ten seconds before opening fire from multiple directions in a burst that lasts between one and seven seconds.
At least one officer had unsuccessfully attempted to use a stun gun, according to police.
Chief Mylett noted that Mr. Walker’s actions are difficult to discern in real-time on the video, but a still image appears to show him “going down to his waist area” and another appears to show him turning toward an officer.
According to him, the third photograph “captures his arm moving forward.”
Chief Mylett stated that the officers were separated at the scene and that each of them believed Mr. Walker was moving into a firing position.
The footage released by police concludes with the officers’ gunfire and does not depict what occurred in the subsequent moments.
Chief Mylett stated that an officer who uses deadly force must be “prepared to explain why they did what they did, articulate what specific threats they faced, and be held accountable.” “.
However, he stated that he is reserving judgment until he hears their statements and that the union president has informed him that they are “fully cooperating” with the investigation.
More than sixty wounds were discovered on Mr. Walker’s body, according to the police, but further investigation is required to determine exactly how many rounds were fired and how many times the 25-year-old was struck.
Officers administered first aid, and one can be heard stating that Mr. Walker had a pulse, but he was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Chief Mylett.
A handgun, a loaded magazine, and what appeared to be a wedding band were discovered on the car seat. A shell casing consistent with the weapon was later discovered in the area where officers believed the vehicle had fired a shot.
Dave Yost, the attorney general of Ohio, pledged a “thorough, impartial, and expert investigation” and cautioned that “body-worn camera footage is only one piece of the puzzle”
The officers involved in the shooting are on administrative leave with pay, as is customary in such situations.
After the video was released, protesters marched through the city and gathered in front of the Akron justice center.
President of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Derrick Johnson stated in a statement that Mr. Walker’s death was not a case of self-defense, but rather “point-blank” murder.
Their attorneys have stated that Mr. Walker’s family is demanding accountability and peace.
Bobby DiCello, one of the attorneys, deemed the burst of police gunfire excessive and unreasonable and stated that police handcuffed Walker before attempting to administer first aid.
Mr. DiCello remarked, “I have no idea how a pursuit reached this point.”
According to him, Mr. Walker’s family has no idea why he fled the police. Mr. Walker was grieving the recent loss of his fiancee, but his family showed no concern beyond that, and he was not a criminal, according to Mr. DiCello.
“I hope we remember that Joyland was unarmed as he ran across that parking lot,” Mr. DiCello said.
He stated that he does not know if Mr. Walker owned the gold ring found near the gun in the car.
