What we know about the fatal Akron police shooting of Jayland Walker

Akron police released body camera video Sunday of a deadly encounter between officers and Jayland Walker.

Akron Police Chief Steve Mylett said it appears that Jayland Walker reached toward his waist during a foot chase with police and briefly turned toward officers before they opened fire Monday morning.

During a press conference Sunday, Mylett spoke in detail for the first time since the fatal shooting of the 25-year-old after he fled what started as a routine traffic stop.

A police officer points a gun at Jayland Walker in a bodycam image shown during a news conference at the Firestone Community Center on July 3 in Akron, Ohio.
A police officer points a gun at Jayland Walker in a bodycam image shown during a news conference at the Firestone Community Center on July 3 in Akron, Ohio.

Here are the most recent developments.

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Watch: Akron press conference replay

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Friday: Walker family attorney describes shocking video

The hail of more than 90 bullets fired by police at Jayland Walker early Monday sounds like “a whole brick of fireworks going off” in what attorney Bobby DiCello describes as an “unbelievable scene.” 

The attorney for Walker’s family told the Beacon Journal Friday night he's worried about how people will react to the “brutal” police body camera video, which shows the 25-year-old Black man running away from officers.

Jayland Walker latest news: Attorney confirms Akron police shot man at least 60 times as he ran away

DiCello said he was sharing details of the video before its Sunday release by Akron police to help the community prepare for what it will show, stressing Walker’s family wants peace to be maintained.

Akron's third fatal shooting by a police officer in six months took place early Monday when Walker, 25, was killed following a brief car chase that began in the city's North Hill neighborhood and ended in Firestone Park.

Detailed information, including body camera footage, will be released by the Akron Police Department at 1 p.m. Sunday and then posted online.

"We just want some answers."Jayland Walker's family demands police accountability

The Summit County Medical Examiner’s Office said Wednesday that Walker died from multiple gunshot wounds and ruled the death a homicide. The city of Akron has asked the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation to take over the investigation.

The city has canceled its annual Rib, White and Blue Festival in the wake of a  protest on Thursday. Fireworks shows will take place Monday.

Protests continued Friday with more expected this weekend.

Here's what we know at this time.

The scene of a fatal shooting involving Akron police early Monday in Firestone Park.
The scene of a fatal shooting involving Akron police early Monday in Firestone Park.

What did police say happened?

Police said Jayland Walker, 25, of Akron, refused to stop, then fired at officers who tried to pull him over for traffic and equipment violations early Monday morning.

The department said officers attempted to pull Walker over around 12:30 a.m. Monday on East Tallmadge Avenue in Akron's North Hill neighborhood. Police said Walker fled in his vehicle, leading officers on a chase down Route 8 southbound to Interstate 77 and the Firestone Park neighborhood.

Police said Walker jumped out of his still rolling vehicle in an East Wilbeth Road parking lot near the Bridgestone Americas campus and created a "deadly threat," leading officers to use stun guns and then firearms.

Multiple officers were on scene at the time and multiple officers have been put on administrative leave, police said.

Traffic camera video obtained by the Beacon Journal shows only one cruiser in pursuit when Walker gets on Route 8 at Tallmadge Avenue at 12:31 a.m.  A second cruiser follows within seconds. As Walker passes Exchange Street, eight cruisers are following him.

At 12:35 a.m., a camera at Interstate 77 and Archwood Avenue shows 10 cruisers following Walker into a residential area. Several turn right after he continues straight.

The video is from Ohio Department of Transportation cameras and was obtained through a public records request.

An Ohio Department Transportation camera shows Jayland Walker being pursued by multiple Akron police cruisers early Monday. The camera is located at Interstate 77 and Archwood Avenue.
An Ohio Department Transportation camera shows Jayland Walker being pursued by multiple Akron police cruisers early Monday. The camera is located at Interstate 77 and Archwood Avenue.

What do Summit County Medical Examiner's records say?

The Summit County Medical Examiner’s Office said in a news release Wednesday that Walker died from multiple gunshot wounds and gave the manner of death as homicide.

A preliminary autopsy report could be available as soon as Friday, but the Beacon Journal was allowed to view an investigative worksheet for the case Wednesday at the medical examiner's office.

The record states Walker was found laying on his back and in handcuffs when a medical examiner investigator arrived at the shooting scene. He had been shot in the face, abdomen and upper legs, according to the report. A weapon was recovered from his vehicle.

About 150 thumbnail photos were attached to the worksheet, including more than 60 pictures showing bullet fragments. It was not clear, however, whether some of the images where photos of the same fragments taken from different angles.

An Akron police officer cleans up caution tape after an officer-involved shooting in the parking lot of the Bridgestone Americas Technology Center early Monday morning.
An Akron police officer cleans up caution tape after an officer-involved shooting in the parking lot of the Bridgestone Americas Technology Center early Monday morning.

Why is Ohio BCI investigating?

The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation has taken over the investigation at the request of Akron police.

Investigation: Ohio BCI takes over investigation of fatal Akron police shooting of Jayland Walker

Police Chief Stephen Mylett, who became chief in August, said he wants the department to move toward having an outside agency investigate all officer-involved shootings as a “best practice.” He said procedure would need to be agreed to by the local police union, which is being consulted with on the matter.

The BCI investigation will involve collecting evidence that will be given to the Ohio Attorney General's Office for presentation to a Summit County grand jury.

This marks the first time the Akron department has requested that an outside agency investigate a deadly use of force involving one of its own officers. BCI has assisted Akron in 16 cases since 2017.

Walker’s shooting is the third fatal shooting by Akron police since Dec. 23. The prior two cases remain under investigation.

The department has asked for the state to take the lead only once — in the 2017 shooting death of a mentally ill man dropped off at the Haven of Rest by a Stow officer who shot and killed the man.

What information has not been released?

Body camera footage from the incident is expected to be released Sunday under a city ordinance setting standards for the release of video following officer-involved shootings.

Mylett, who discussed the shooting with the Akron Beacon Journal on Wednesday, said the department will release all the bodycam videos from the incident rather than just the three videos required by law.

The department is required by city ordinance to share footage from at least three body cameras within seven days of the incident. The law requires all footage to be released within a month of the incident.

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Akron Police Chief Steve Mylett discusses Monday's officer-involved shooting in Akron's Firestone Park neighborhood with reporters in his office on Wednesday.
Akron Police Chief Steve Mylett discusses Monday's officer-involved shooting in Akron's Firestone Park neighborhood with reporters in his office on Wednesday.

Mylett declined to answer multiple questions about the shooting, asking for the public to be patient while more information is gathered.

Mylett wouldn’t say how many officers fired shots, how many shots were fired, how many times Walker was struck and what threat Walker posed to officers when he was shot.

He said he plans to share a video of the confrontation with Walker’s family before it is released to the public during a news conference in the next few days.

Akron cruisers do not have dashboard cameras.

The Beacon Journal on Tuesday also filed a standard public records request for the incident report and additional records required to be released under Ohio law.

Attorney Bobby DiCello, right, holds up a photograph of Jayland Walker as Paige White, left, comforts Jayland's mother Pamela Walker during a press conference at St. Ashworth Temple on Thursday.
Attorney Bobby DiCello, right, holds up a photograph of Jayland Walker as Paige White, left, comforts Jayland's mother Pamela Walker during a press conference at St. Ashworth Temple on Thursday.

Who was Jayland Walker?

Family members, meanwhile, are grieving and currently unable to speak much about Walker, said Robert DeJournett, pastor at St. Ashworth Temple church in Akron's Sherbondy Hill neighborhood.

DeJournett said Walker is his cousin's son. He said he watched Walker grow up and said he was a good person.

"That's not him at all. That's not Jayland," DeJournett said about the details that have been released of the shooting. "Jayland was a wonderful, wonderful young man. ... I guarantee, who Jayland is is going to come out."

Aunt Lajuana Walker-Dawkins said she wanted to share the true character of her nephew, a 2015 graduate of Buchtel High School.

"We just want everyone to know who Jayland was," she said. "We don't want him to be portrayed as some thug."

Attorney Bobby DiCello, who is representing the family, said Walker never harmed anyone and had never been in trouble.

Jayland was a full-time DoorDash employee and had worked for Amazon previously.

DiCello said the 25-year-old was in good spirits during his last contact with his family.

"We love Jayland. He was my skinny, little nephew," Walker-Dawkins said. "We miss him."

Pamela Walker, left, and Jada Walker are overwhelmed with grief during a press conference at St. Ashworth Temple on Thursday following the shooting death of Jayland Walker. Walker was shot by Akron police Monday.
Pamela Walker, left, and Jada Walker are overwhelmed with grief during a press conference at St. Ashworth Temple on Thursday following the shooting death of Jayland Walker. Walker was shot by Akron police Monday.

Video: Family demands accountability

Jayland Walker's family and attorneys held a press conference on Thursday. Here's what they said.

Statement by mayor, chief released

Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan and Mylett issued a joint statement offering condolences to those who knew Walker and saying more information about what happened will be forthcoming soon.

“We know that no police officer ever wants to discharge their service weapon in the line of duty. And anytime they must, it's a dark day for our city, for the families of those involved, as well as for the officers. Tragically, we are once again faced with a young man, with his life before him, gone too soon. Every single life is precious, and the loss of any life is absolutely devastating to our entire community. Our prayers are with Jayland Walker’s loved ones, and we offer our sincere condolences to all those who knew him. Our thoughts are also with our Akron police officers and their families.

"We want to reassure our citizens that more information will be coming in the following days, including the body-worn camera footage that recorded this incident. We are keeping our promise to the community, understanding that there can be no trust without transparency and follow-through on commitment.

"We have every confidence in the Attorney General's Bureau of Criminal Investigation to conduct a thorough, fair, and honest investigation. We will cooperate fully with that investigation and have made it a top priority for our staffs. As a city, we are committed to this process and trust that it will yield a fuller understanding of this incident.”

What happened in other police shootings?

Two officers shocked and then fatally shot 58-year-old James Gross in the head and neck on Dec. 23 in Kenmore. According to police reports and body-worn camera footage released within a week of each incident, Gross was holding a knife to his estranged wife’s throat at the time.

Akron police shootings: City releases records on officers who shot suspects

Two separate officers fired a total of four rounds into a house in West Akron on Feb. 22, killing 21-year-old Lawrence LeJames Rodgers.

Rodgers had appeared multiple times in the side door of his cousins’ home on Ritchie Avenue as police were outside. He was ordered to drop a handgun, which officers say was leveled at them just before they opened fire. Fatally wounded, police said, Rodgers walked back into the living room and killed his cousin. Akron also released police video of the initial incident.

Jayland Walker police shooting coverage

June 27: Akron police fatally shoot suspect who officers say fired on them during chase

June 28: Ohio BCI takes over investigation of fatal Akron police shooting of Jayland Walker

June 29: 'Everybody loses,' Akron chief says of police shootings; family says 'That's not Jayland."

June 30: 'We don’t treat animals that way.' Jayland Walker's family demands police accountability

June 30: Protesters block downtown traffic, denounce Akron police-involved death of Jayland Walker

June 30: City of Akron cancels Rib, White and Blue Festival amid concerns over protests

July 1: Akron to release bodycam footage Sunday of Jayland Walker fatal shooting by city police

July 1: Protesters converge after fatal Akron police shooting of Jayland Walker

July 1: Akron July 4 fireworks: City says shows will take place; RubberDucks events still on

July 1: Akron to release bodycam footage Sunday of Jayland Walker fatal shooting by city police

July 1: 'We deserve better from our police.' Black leaders want feds to probe Jayland Walker's death

July 1: 'People deserve safety, not fear.' Protests continue after Jayland Walker's death by police

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron police shooting: What we know about Jayland Walker's death