Ohio police release graphic bodycam footage in fatal shooting of Jayland Walker
Ohio police released graphic body camera footage and additional details Sunday on the shooting of Jayland Walker, showing to the public the moment eight officers released a barrage of bullets at the 25-year-old Black motorist as he ran for the first time.
Akron police officers said that they attempted to pull over Walker last week on unspecified traffic violations and were forced to chase him when he didn't pull over, according to a statement from the department. Police said officers "reported a firearm being discharged from the suspect vehicle" during their pursuit early Monday morning.
Walker then allegedly jumped out of his car and officers chased him on foot, according to police.
“Actions by the suspect caused the officers to perceive he posed a deadly threat to them,” police said. “In response to this threat, officers discharged their firearms, striking the suspect.”
Police said during the Sunday news conference that officers pursued Walker's car on the expressway for several minutes before exiting on a ramp.
After the chase on city streets, Walker's car slowed and he exited from the passenger side door as the car continued to roll forward, police said. Officers tried to stop Walker using stun guns and opened fire after the stun guns failed, according to the department's retelling.
Akron Police Chief Steve Mylett did not know the traffic or equipment violation cited by officers in attempting to pull Mylett over.
Eight officers were placed on paid administrative leave as part of protocol in a police shooting, Mylett said. The Ohio Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation will lead the probe of police use of force.
Walker's family has questioned the use of deadly force against him. An attorney for the family, Bobby DiCello, told the Akron Beacon Journal on Saturday that he reviewed the body camera footage with the family.
DiCello said he has not seen any evidence yet regarding allegations that Walker had shot at officers, and that Walker was fleeing from police when they shot at him.
“He is just in a down sprint when he is dropped by I think the count is more than 90 shots,” DiCello told the Akron Beacon Journal. “Now how many of those land, according to our investigation right now, we’re getting details that suggest 60 to 80 wounds.”
Citing autopsy photos and interviews with police sources, NBC affiliate WKYC reported that Walker had been hit dozens of times. NBC News has not obtained a copy of the autopsy report.
Mylett confirmed that the medical examiner observed 60 wounds to Walker's body, but that the injuries had not been differentiated between entrance and exit wounds.
"We do not know the exact number of rounds that were fired. … However based on the video, I anticipate that number to be high. And I will not be surprised if the number at the end of the investigation is consistent with the number that has been circulating in the media, but right now we just don't know," Mylett said.
In response to DiCello’s comments about not seeing Walker brandish a gun at officers, Mylett noted that the investigation was still ongoing and it was difficult to obtain details from watching the video in real time.
A handgun and loaded magazine was found on the driver's seat following the shooting, according to police. Police went back to the scene where officers said they heard a gun discharged from Walker's car, Mylett said.
"A casing was discovered at that location consistent with a firearm that Mr. Walker had in his vehicle. BCI will determine whether or not that casing came from the gun or not," Mylett said.
Officers at the scene independently reported seeing Walker turn in a way that they thought might be a firing position, Mylett told reporters.
No gun was found on Walker’s body at the time of his death.
Police said that all body camera footage from eight officers who opened fire and five others who were at the scene will be made available following the news conference.
DiCello spoke to reporters on behalf of Walker's family following the press conference, urging their request for peace following the release of the footage.
"I came here to say what our message is and that is peace," DiCello said. "If you can do anything for the family, please give peace. Give dignity and give justice a chance."
The family attorney said he had seen the video three times by the time he spoke Sunday and that it "doesn't get any easier."
"They want to turn him into a masked monster with a gun, and we knew that," DiCello said. "But I want to thank the chief for one thing he said, at the time he was shot ... he was unarmed."
DiCello expressed a number of concerns to reporters regarding the investigation, including whether officers have made statements to the attorney general's investigators by Sunday. He also alleged that he was initially told the gun in Walker's car was found in the backseat, but police now say it was in the driver's seat.
Walker's girlfriend died a month prior to his death, but his family did not observe any issues concerning his behavior in his grief, DiCello said.
"I mean, he was sad, but he was getting through it and the family was just as surprised as I am today ... knowing what's happened here is a big mystery for them," DiCello said.
DiCello noted that Walker had no criminal history.
A review of public records by NBC News found no prior criminal records or civil lawsuits against Walker. The single record found in Walker's name was a 2017 speeding ticket in the Akron Municipal Court.
Protesters have peacefully demonstrated in Akron for days, demanding more transparency and accountability in Walker's death.
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James, a native of Akron, tweeted that he was praying for his city prior to the press conference Sunday.
Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan cancelled the city's Fourth of July festivities amid the ongoing protests and investigation, saying now "is not the time for a city-led celebration."
Horrigan urged residents to remain peaceful, citing Walker's family's own desire to refrain from violence, prior to the video footage release Sunday.
"You’re going to have to do one of the most difficult things I can ever ask anyone to do and that is to please be patient and let the attorney general do their work," Horrigan said.
A rally was scheduled after the press conference, and a number of protesters gathered calmly awaiting local clergy to give speeches, according to WKYC.
NAACP President Derrick Johnson released a statement Sunday, describing Walker's death as a "murder" and that pulling over for police "is often a death sentence."
"This Black man was killed – struck more than 60 times by 90 fired bullets – for a possible traffic violation," Johnson said. "This doesn't happen to white people in America. Why do police continuously target us like domestic terrorists? We are just trying to live our lives, and we are tired of being hunted like prey."