AKRON, Ohio — As the investigation continues into the shooting and killing of a 25-year-old Black man in Akron, federal officials said they are "closely monitoring" the case.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, and the FBI Field Office in Akron, Ohio are closely monitoring and reviewing the circumstances surrounding the death of Jayland Walker," A DOJ spokesperson wrote in a statement to Spectrum News 1. "The FBI continues to coordinate with state and local partners to provide resources and specialized skills. If the evidence reveals potential violations of federal criminal statutes, the Justice Department will take appropriate action.”
Walker was fatally wounded by police on June 27 in south Akron. The shooting took place after Walker led police on a four-minute car chase that was exacerbated when Walker fired a gun at the officers in pursuit, police said.
Officials said the chase ended when Walker, unarmed, got out of his still-moving vehicle in the Bridgestone Americas parking lot and was shot roughly 60 times by the eight officers involved.
On Monday, Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan issued a curfew between the hours of 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. in downtown. The curfew will remain in effect until Wednesday morning beginning at 6 a.m.
Horrigan thanked those who have peacefully protested over the weekend, writing in a statement Tuesday he supports the right to have voices heard.
"The community respected the curfew which we put in place last night and did not further damage our downtown corridor. I expect tonight to be the same," Horrigan wrote in his Tuesday statement. "In an effort to support all those who are peacefully protesting, I plan to lift the curfew in our downtown footprint starting tomorrow."
The mayor issued the curfew after a night of violent protests Sunday. While the morning demonstrations remained peaceful, they turned violent that night, damaging businesses and other property throughout the city.
"I fully support our residents’ right to peacefully assemble," Horrigan wrote in a statement Monday morning. "What we have been calling for since the beginning, and what the Walker family and many community leaders and faith leaders have also urged, is peace. However, as night fell and others began to join, the protests became no longer peaceful. There was significant property damage done to downtown Akron. Small businesses up and down Main St. have had their windows broken."
He added the city won't tolerate violence and destruction of property.
The Akron Police Department has placed has placed all eight officers on paid administrative leave while the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation looks into the shooting.
Digital reporter Jennifer Conn contributed to this story.