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Akron police released body camera footage on Sunday showing officers fatally shooting Jayland Walker, 25, an unarmed black man, after a vehicle and foot chase last Monday.
Chief Steve Mylett said officers attempted to stop Walker’s car for unspecified traffic and equipment violations, but less than a minute into a chase, the sound of a gunshot was heard from the car and a Transportation Department camera captured what appeared to be a muzzle flash coming from the vehicle. Mylett said it changed the nature of the case “from a routine traffic stop to now a public safety issue.”
Bodycam images released by the Akron Police Department.
(Akron Police)
Police say minutes later the car slowed down and Walker got out of the still-moving vehicle wearing a ski mask and fled on foot. After a failed attempt to use stun devices, the pursuit on foot continued to a parking lot, at which point a crescendo of bullets can be heard.
Walker was unarmed at the time of the shooting, but a shot appeared to come from the vehicle during the chase, and officers said they feared he was preparing to shoot when they unloaded their guns, authorities said.
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Mylett said he watched the video dozens of times and Walker’s actions at the time were hard to tell, but a still photo appears to show him ‘dropping to the waist’ and another appears to show him turning to an officer and a third. image ‘captures a forward movement of his arm.’
A handgun, loaded magazine and wedding band were found on the seat and a case compatible with the weapon was later found where officers believed a gunshot had come from the vehicle.
“Each officer, independently of each other, reported feeling that Mr. Walker had turned and was gesturing and moving into a firing position,” he said.
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Akron police pleaded for community peace and patience as the state’s investigation into the shooting continues. Mylett said he was withholding judgment on their actions until they made their statements, and he said the union president told him everyone was “fully cooperating” with the investigation.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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