Protesters gathered again Saturday in Akron, Ohio, a day before the release of a video showing police shooting a black motorcyclist – a shooting that has rocked the city and sent indignant racial justice advocates.
On Saturday afternoon, a growing crowd Protesters with signs and loudspeakers assembled outside the city courthouse after 3 p.m. Some chanted, “No justice, no peace, prosecute the police.”
Protesters have gathered for three days in a row this week, demanding that police be held accountable after officers shot and killed Jayland Walker, 25, on Monday as he fled a small car stop. .
The Akron Police Department is expected to provide details of the shooting, including body camera footage, at a press conference Sunday alongside the city’s mayor. Footage will also be released at that time.
Akron Police Chief Steve Mylett told the Akron Beacon Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network, that the department will release all full-body camera footage of the shooting instead of just the three legally required videos. the law. He added that the footage will be shown to Walker’s family prior to its release.
The shooting was the third fatal shooting by a police officer in six months in a city of about 200,000 residents about 30 miles from Cleveland.
The city of Akron has asked the Ohio Department of Criminal Investigation to take over the investigation of the shooting.
‘Humans WANT SAFETY, NOT FEAR’:Protests continue after Jayland Walker’s death by police
Lawyer describes the scene
Bobby DiCello, attorney representing the Walker family, shared details of the video before its releasesaid he hopes it will help the community prepare for what it will show.
DiCello told Beacon Journal he was concerned about how people might react to footage he said showed police firing dozens of shots, shooting Walker in the face, stomach, arms and legs as he tried to run away.
DiCello said the shooting was an “unbelievable sight” that left Walker’s body “only a bullet wound.”
“It’s going to be a brutal video. It’s going to stir some passion. It’s going to make people feel uncomfortable,” DiCello said.
VIDEO SCENE:Lawyer describes body camera footage
What the police say happened
The Akron Police Department said Walker refused to stop the vehicle and fled when officers tried to drag him until early Monday morning. Walker then jumped out of his wheelchair and posed a “death threat”, prompting officers to use a stun gun and then a firearm, police said.
Police say Walker fired a shot at the officers during the police pursuit.
Mylett did not provide further details on how many officers fired or how many shots were fired.
PREVIOUS REPORTS:What we know about the shooting death of Jayland Walker by Akron police
Traffic camera footage obtained by the Beacon Journal shows 10 cruisers following Walker at one point during the chase.
Walker died of multiple gunshot wounds, according to the Summit County Medical Examiner’s Office, which ruled the death a homicide.
Walker was discovered lying on his back in handcuffs when a medical examiner arrived on the scene, according to a case investigation sheet posted to Beacon Magazine at the medical examiner’s office. Reportedly, Walked was shot in the face, stomach and shins.
Who is Jayland Walker?
Walker’s family describes Walker as someone who loves and dreams of starting his own delivery business. He works at an Amazon fulfillment center and is a delivery driver for DoorDash, the family said at a press conference Thursday, where They demanded that the police be held accountable for Walker’s death.
Walker was a popular wrestler at Buchtel High School, family members said.
FAMILY SAYS:Jayland Walker’s family asks for an explanation from the police
Black elected officials speak out
Summit County black elected officials called on the US Department of Justice to investigate Walker’s death. The organization’s president, Veronica Sims, also called for police reform and underground bias training.
Sims, who is also the District 5 representative on the Summit County Council, said in a statement: “We are devastated by the continued loss of black men and women at the hands of those who have lost their lives. swear to protect and serve.”
Contact News Now Reporter Christine Fernando at cfernando@usatoday.com or follow her on Twitter at @christinetfern.