An investigation by the Akron Police Department found that the deadly shooting of Jayland Walker by eight officers at a traffic stop in 2022 did not violate APD policy.
Walker was shot 46 times during a traffic stop on June 27, 2022, in Akron, Ohio. According to CBS News, Akron Police Chief Steve Mylett instructed the department’s Office of Professional Standards and Accountability to complete an internal investigation after a special grand jury ruled in April that deadly force was legally justified and declined to prosecute.
The investigation was to find out if the officers violated any APD policies during the shooting. Mylett released his findings on Nov. 28.
“In my opinion, the use of deadly force was in compliance with the policies of the City of Akron Police Department,” Mylett wrote. “I found that the facts and circumstances of this tragic shooting show that the officers had an objectively reasonable belief that Mr. Walker was armed and by his conduct presented an imminent risk of serious bodily injury or death to them and/or their fellow officers.”
Video footage captured Walker running away from the police before the 25-year-old was shot in a hail of gunfire. Walker drove off after initially being pulled over during a traffic stop, and a police chase ensued. The police claimed that Walker fired at them once from the vehicle before he stopped the car, exited and ran while wearing a ski mask.
Mylett also claimed that Walker failed to “show his hands” after being given the command to do so multiple times and that he “turned towards officers, reached to his waistband and raised his arm in a shooting posture” before the police opened fire. However, the video footage does not show Walker turning toward the officers or reaching for his waistband.
“As Mr. Walker exited the vehicle, he was wearing a ski mask, on a warm June night, further causing the officers to fear a more severe crime,” Mylett continued….
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