A special grand jury in Akron, Ohio, will begin hearing evidence this week to determine whether charges should be filed against eight officers who shot a Black man nearly four dozen times last year.
Jayland Walker’s death following an attempted traffic stop and chase on June 27 touched off days of protests and renewed discussions around the treatment of Black people during routine police encounters. Seven of the eight police officers who opened fire are white, officials said.
After some demonstrations last year resulted in property damage, businesses in the city have started to board up their windows ahead of the grand jury proceedings. While it’s not clear when a decision will be announced, the Summit County jury will be seated Monday, the city said.
Security has increased around the Summit County Courthouse and steel barricades have been put up around the building. The street-level windows of City Hall are now covered by plywood, a city spokesperson said, adding officials have engaged faith leaders, business owners and community groups to “build necessary dialogue.”
“While boarded windows will certainly be the most visible signs of preparation, it is the ongoing conversations and relationship building which have undeniably been the most important preparation for whatever the grand jury decides,” the spokesperson said in a statement.
An alleged traffic violation
Akron police officers tried to pull over Walker, 25, after an alleged traffic violation. They chased him when he failed to stop, according to an Akron Police Department statement.
During that pursuit, officers “reported a firearm being discharged from the suspect vehicle,” police said. They pursued Walker’s car on an expressway for several minutes, then chased on city streets, according to the statement.
After his car slowed at one point, he got out through the passenger side door as the car rolled forward, according to authorities.
Officials said they tried to stop Walker by using stun guns…
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