Jayland Walker Death: Grand Jury Declines To Indict Ohio Cops in ‘Grievous’ Killing

Grand Jury declined to indict the Ohio officers because they were under threat when Jayland Walker fired a shot at them
Walker's death in June 2022 triggered rallies in Akron
The cops engaged in the incident were suspended for three months

A grand jury in Ohio has opted not to charge police officers in the murder of Jayland Walker, a 25-year-old Black man who was shot dozens of times by cops during an attempted traffic stop and pursuit last summer in Akron, Ohio, according to the state's attorney general.

Walker died on June 27, 2022, when Akron police attempted to pull him over. Officers chased Walker, first in cars and then on foot, according to footage given by the police.

No Charges Filed Against Cops Who Fatally Shot Jayland Walker

Officers stated that they believed Walker had discharged a firearm from his vehicle and were afraid he might fire again, forcing them to kill him. On Monday, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said that Walker fired at least one shot from his automobile at officers.

On the other hand, Walker was unarmed when he was tragically shot by police while on foot. According to the attorney general's office, eight Akron police officers fired 94 bullets at Walker, leaving him with 46 gunshot wounds.

Per NY Times, Yost stated that Walker disobeyed orders to display his hands and halt. The police were unaware that Walker had left his revolver in his car, the attorney general claimed. His death spurred an inquiry by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Inquiry and protests about racial inequality and police use of force, some of which became violent, causing damage to local businesses, according to Akron police.

Per CNN, the bureau's probe was subsequently turned over to a special prosecutor, who recently submitted the case before a grand jury. The cops can testify before the grand jury under Ohio law, which DiCello claims "favors the officers."

According to Ohio Assistant Attorney General Anthony Pierson, the special grand jury consisted of nine people: three males and six women. For an indictment to be issued in Ohio, at least seven of the nine jurors must vote in favor of the charges, but Yost said they were prohibited by law from discussing the final result.

Walker has no criminal record and worked as a DoorDash and Uber Eats delivery driver. According to the inquiry, a pistol, bullet casing, and gold wedding band were discovered in Walker's vehicle the night of his death.

According to the Akron Beacon Journal, his fiancée, Jaymeisha Beasley, died in a vehicle accident a month before. When questioned if Walker was planning a "suicide by cop" at the time of the incident, Pierson replied there was no clear evidence to support this theory.

Pierson said the investigators from the Ohio Attorney General's office conducted more than 100 interviews and studied footage from over 50 body-worn cameras. They also analyzed pertinent surveillance video, including 25 Ohio Department of Transportation recordings.

Grand Jury's Decision Sparks New Protests in Ohio

According to Akron Public Schools spokesperson Mark Williamson, all Akron Public Schools will be closed on Tuesday due to the grand jury's decision not to file any state charges against the officers.

Walker's killing sparked protests in the northern Ohio community and reignited discussion over how Black people are treated during ordinary police contact. The NAACP and Walker's family attorney have asked the Justice Department to launch a federal civil rights probe into the shooting. The agency reacted by stating it was keeping an eye on the situation, NBC News reported.

Following property damage caused by last year's protests, numerous Akron businesses boarded windows in anticipation of an announcement on charges against the cops involved. Steel barriers have been erected, and security has recently been heightened outside the Summit County Courthouse. Plywood was used to cover the street-level windows of City Hall.

Akron Police Chief Steve Mylett stated that officers are prepared for protests. If there is violent conduct, police will proclaim an unlawful assembly and issue repeated warnings and routes for individuals to leave, he added.