Jayland Walker, 25, Shot to Death by Police in Akron, Ohio

Jayland Walker Shot  Death…

Jayland Walker, a 25-year-old Black resident of Akron, Ohio was shot to death by police officers of the Akron Police Department on the morning of Monday, June 27th.

It is being reported that Walker refused to stop his motor vehicle after he had allegedly committed an unspecified traffic violation. 

Police accounts say he drove off and was involved in a chase before he slowed down and jumped out of his moving vehicle. As he evaded the police on foot, he was shot multiple times from the back suffering injuries to his head, torso, and legs. 

The lawyer representing Walker’s family, Bobby DiCello, alleges that according to the autopsy report, Walker suffered at least 60 bullet wounds.

The police claimed in a statement that Walker had acted in a manner that made him a possible threat and justified the use of such deadly force.

The police claim that Walker fired a gun at them. While a firearm was allegedly found in Walker’s vehicle, it is not clear whether or not he fired it. 

The police bodycam footage has not been released at the time of reporting. 

Reports indicated that it would be released on Sunday, July 3. The police officers who participated in the fatal shooting were placed on administrative leave pending an investigation. 

“We will cooperate fully with that investigation and have made it a top priority for our staffs,” a joint statement from Akron Mayor Daniel Horrigan and police chief Steve Mylett said.

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

According to reports, DiCello claims Walker was shot between 60 to 90 times. “He is just in a down sprint when he is dropped by I think the count is more than 90 shots,” DiCello said.

“Now how many of those land, according to our investigation right now, we’re getting details that suggest 60 to 80 wounds.” 

Still on Jayland Walker’s  Death…

DiCello also revealed that there was no evidence that Walker had fired at the police officers who tried to stop him because all glass and windows of his vehicle were intact.

“The rear windshield is intact, the front windshield is intact and all side windows are intact,” he said. “There’s no call, there’s no report that we’ve seen and there’s been no mention by the chief in personal discussions with him that a gun was seen outside the car, waving at or being pointed at anyone.” 

DiCello watched the footage of the shooting and read the autopsy report provided by the medical examiner’s office. The footage has been described as brutal by both DiCello and Roderick Pounds Sr, who is a pastor of the Second Baptist Church in Akron.

Pounds Sr. called the footage barbaric and refused to describe it in full detail. Walker’s sister and mother, Jada and Pamela Walker refused to watch the footage, have it described to them, or read about it on news platforms. 

The United States has, yet again, suffered what can be labeled as an unjustified shooting of a young, black man. Walker, who was unarmed and with his back to police officers when shot, had no criminal record.

His aunt, Lajuana Walker Dawkins, spoke at a press conference on how her nephew was never troublesome. “He was my skinny little nephew,” she said. “And we miss him. We just want some answers.” 

The shooting of Walker has led to protests in Akron. According to reports, over 100 people gathered outside the Second Baptist Church, waving signs calling for justice for Walker.

“When some people don’t follow directions, they wind up in handcuffs,” said Hamza Khabir, a member of an activist group. “When Black people do so, they wind up being shot and killed.” 

There has been ongoing speculation that the protests will become worse after the police bodycam footage is released. Walker’s family has asked that there be no violence.

“The family wants no more violence,” Mr. DiCello said. “It’s had enough violence. The family wants peace, dignity, and justice for Jayland.” 

“His name is Jayland Walker. ⁣ ⁣8 Akron Ohio cops fired 90 bullets at him, hitting him 60 times throughout his entire body. ⁣

The cops pulled him over for a TRAFFIC VIOLATION. He was 25. He was a @doordash driver. HE WAS UNARMED. HE WAS MURDERED,” tweeted Bishop Talbert Swan.