Internal investigation concludes Akron police officers did not violate policy in fatal shooting of Jayland Walker

Police Investigation into Shooting Death of Jayland Walker

Police Officers Cleared of Wrongdoing in Shooting Death

According to an internal investigation, the police officers involved in the shooting death of Jayland Walker, a 25-year-old Black man, in Akron, Ohio, last year did not violate agency policy in the incident. The Akron police chief announced that none of the officers will be disciplined or released from duty.

Use of Deadly Force Deemed in Compliance with Police Policies

The Akron police chief stated that the officers’ use of deadly force against Jayland Walker, following a car chase and foot chase, was in compliance with the police department’s policies.

No Indictment for Officers

Seven months prior, a special grand jury in Ohio decided not to indict the officers in the case. The grand jury concluded that the officers’ use of force was legally justified.

The Incident Details

The incident occurred on June 27, 2022, when police initiated a traffic stop of Jayland Walker’s vehicle. Walker drove away from officers and fired a gunshot during the car chase. He then exited the vehicle and led police on a foot chase, ignoring commands to stop and show his hands.

Reason for the Shooting

According to state Attorney General Dave Yost, officers attempted to use non-lethal Tasers to pursue Walker, but he made a motion that officers interpreted as threatening. This led to the use of deadly force.

Unarmed at the Time of Shooting

Despite being unarmed at the time he was killed, a gun was found in Walker’s vehicle after the shooting. The ballistics of a shot recovered nearby matched the weapon.

Multiple Shots Fired

A total of eight police officers fired 94 shots at Walker within 6.7 seconds. Three of the officers fired 18 times each. An autopsy revealed that Walker had 46 gunshot entrance wounds or graze wounds.

Officers’ Use of Force Considered Reasonable

The Akron police chief, in an executive summary of the internal investigation, stated that the officers had an objectively reasonable belief that Walker was armed and posed an imminent risk of serious bodily injury or death. The chief also highlighted that the special grand jury determined the officers’ use of force was not excessive.

Legal Action Taken by Walker’s Family

In response to the incident, Walker’s family filed a lawsuit against Akron and several police officers, seeking at least $45 million in damages. The suit alleges that officers used excessive force.

No Further Comment Due to Pending Litigation

The Akron mayor’s office stated that it would not offer further comment on the investigation due to pending litigation against the city.

Read More of this Story at www.cnn.com – 2023-11-29 03:23:00