AKRON, Ohio — The City of Akron announced Thursday that it will cut public access to City Hall and the Harold K. Stubbs Building ahead of the grand jury's decision in the case of Jayland Walker.
Starting Friday, April 14 at 5 p.m., public access will be suspended until further notice. Officials said Akron City Council, which meets on Mondays, will hold meetings virtually until public access is allowed.
The grand jury has been hearing evidence this week on the fatal shooting of 25-year-old Walker, who was shot more than 40 times last year. Walker led police on a chase, during which officers claim he fired a shot at them. He eventually drove into a parking lot, left his still-moving vehicle wearing a ski mask and ran. He was fired at after he turned and officers said his actions were threatening.
The shooting has been under investigation by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and is now in the hands of the grand jury. It can't convict anybody, however, it will determine whether to indict the eight officers involved in the shooting.
Since then, the city has been preparing for protests. Local businesses have been putting up boards on windows, and Akron Police Chief Steve Mylett encouraged Akron-area groups preparing to protest to appoint a leader and make contact ahead of protests with the city’s designated point person, Sgt. Michael Murphy Jr.
Digital Reporter Jenn Conn contributed to this story.