Eight officers are placed on administrative leave as the Ohio Attorney General’s office leads the investigation into Walker’s fatal shooting.
Ohio police released graphic body camera footage Sunday on the shooting of Jayland Walker, showing to the public the moment eight officers released a barrage of bullets at the 25-year-old Black motorist as he ran for the first time.
Akron police officers said that they attempted to pull over Walker last week on unspecified traffic violations and were forced to chase him when he didn’t pull over, according to a statement from the department. Police said officers “reported a firearm being discharged from the suspect vehicle” during their pursuit early Monday morning.
Walker then allegedly jumped out of his car and officers chased him on foot, according to police.
“Actions by the suspect caused the officers to perceive he posed a deadly threat to them,” police said. “In response to this threat, officers discharged their firearms, striking the suspect.”
Police said during the Sunday news conference that officers pursued Walker’s car on the expressway for several minutes before exiting on a ramp.
After the chase on city streets, Walker’s car slowed and he exited from the passenger side door as the car continued to roll forward, police said. Officers tried to stop Walker using stun guns and opened fire after the stun guns failed, according to the department’s retelling.
Akron Police Chief Steve Mylett did not know the traffic or equipment violation cited by officers in attempting to pull Mylett over.
Eight officers were placed on paid administrative leave as part of protocol in a police shooting, Mylett said. The Ohio Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation will lead the probe of police use of force.
Walker’s family has questioned the use of deadly force against him. An attorney for the family, Bobby DiCello, told the Akron Beacon Journal on Saturday that he reviewed the body camera footage with the family.
DiCello said he has not seen any evidence yet regarding allegations that Walker had shot at officers, and that Walker was fleeing from police when they shot at him.
“He is just in a down sprint when he is dropped by I think the count is more than 90 shots,” DiCello told the Akron Beacon Journal. “Now how many of those land, according to our investigation right now, we’re getting details that suggest 60 to 80 wounds.”
