An Ohio grand jury will not indict the police officers who killed 25-year-old Jayland Walker in Akron last year.
Walker was fatally shot 46 times by the police last June.
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced on Monday that the grand jury has ruled the police officers were legally justified in their use of force when they shot Walker 46 times, according to reports.
“He reached for his waistband in what several officers described as a cross-draw motion, planted his foot and turned toward the officers while raising his hand,” said Yost. “Only then did the officers fire, believing Mr. Walker was firing again at them.”
Related: ‘Several Devastating Injuries’: Autopsy Shows Jayland Walker Sustained 46 Gunshot Wounds, Chief Medical Examiner Clears Up Initial Reports of 60 Wounds
Walker worked as a delivery driver and was detained by the police at a traffic stop on June 27. After he drove off in his vehicle, a police chase ensued before Walker stopped, exited his car and ran while wearing a ski mask. Multiple police officers opened fire at Walker seconds after he ran away.
The officers later claimed they deployed a Taser prior to shooting Walker and were defending themselves. They also claimed that Walker fired at them from his vehicle. A gun was later found inside Walker’s car.
Akron Police Chief Stephen Mylett claimed that Walker turned at the officers while reaching down by his waist side. Mylett said the officers “felt that Mr. Walker had turned and was motioning and moving into a firing position,” adding that they opened fire at Walker, resulting in his death.
The eight police officers who were “directly involved” in shooting the 25-year-old were placed on paid administrative leave from the Akron Police Department while an investigation was conducted but reinstated on Oct. 10.
According to the Summit County Medical Examiner, Lisa Kohler, Walker had 46 entrance wounds or graze injuries from the…
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