#Protests #release #video #police #kill #black #man
Several hundred protesters marched in Akron, Ohio on Sunday after body camera footage was released showing police fatally shooting a black man with several dozen bullets.
As anger mounted over the recent police killing of a black man in the United States and authorities called for calm, a crowd carrying banners with slogans such as “Justice for Jayland” marched to City Hall.
The slogan refers to 25-year-old Jayland Walker, who was killed Monday after officers tried to stop his car for a traffic violation, police said.
Sunday was the fourth day of protests in a row. The demonstrations were peaceful but for a tense moment some protesters approached a police line and yelled at them.
After the first rally, a crowd stayed on the street and protested towards the evening, but it was less organized. There were no reports of violence.
But fearing unrest, authorities in the city of 190,000 moved snowplows and other heavy equipment close to the police department to serve as a barrier.
After initially providing few details of the shooting, Akron authorities released two videos Sunday: one that was a compilation of bodycam footage, bodycam stills and voiceover, and another with full bodycam footage of the entire chase and gunfight.
The voiceover explained that Walker didn’t stop and drove away. Police engaged in a chase and said a shot was fired from Walker’s vehicle.
After being chased for several minutes, Walker got out of his car while it was still moving and fled on foot. The officers tried to tasers him, but he kept running.
Several officers eventually chased Walker to a parking lot. Bodycam footage is too blurry to clearly see what’s happening, but an initial police statement released after the shooting said he behaved in a way that officers believed he was posing a “mortal threat.” “
– “Over 60 wounds” on the body –
All officers at the scene opened fire on Walker and fired several times in quick succession.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The incident was the latest death of an African American national at the hands of police, events that have sparked mass protests against racism and police brutality.
“Many will want to air their grievances publicly, and I fully support the right of our residents to peacefully assemble,” Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan said at a news conference, saying he was “heartbroken” by the events.
“But I hope the community can agree that violence and destruction is not the answer.”
He also said an independent investigation would be conducted.
Bobby DiCello, an attorney for the Walker family, told the New York Times, “I’ve been a trial attorney for 22 years and I’ve never seen anything remotely like what this video is going to show.”
Police Chief Steve Mylett said he doesn’t know the exact number of bullets fired at Walker, but the coroner’s report “shows over 60 wounds on Mr Walker’s body”.
He added that the eight officers involved in Walker’s death have been placed on paid administrative leave pending the conclusion of the investigation.
The authorities canceled a festival planned for the weekend of July 4th.
Basketball star LeBron James, an Akron native, said in a tweet Sunday that he prays for his city.
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