AKRON, Ohio — As Akron braces for the results of an investigation into the police shooting of Jayland Walker last June, organizations are working to prepare the community.
A report is expected to be released soon by the Ohio Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
The Akron Police Department announced Thursday in its daily report that it will take part in the Community Conversation Series of the New Hope Baptist Church to help educate the community on the Grand Jury process and how police use-of-force investigations are conducted.
"Community stakeholders and sponsors identified a need to provide citizens with vital information as we prepare for challenging days ahead," the announcement read. "The common thread that emerged from many discussions with the community is that we all share a LOVE4AKRON, which is the actual fabric of our city."
The public is invited to attend the Community Conversation including a live question and answer session, set for 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 29 at New Hope Baptist Church, 1706 S. Hawkins Ave. in Akron.
Topics of the conversation include:
Grand jury:
- Purpose
- How it works
- What is their job?
APD use of force investigations:
- How are they conducted?
- The preview process
- Dispositions
- Process to file a complaint or commendation
How to safely assemble:
- Know whay you're walking into
- Be mindful of your surroundings
- Have an exit plan
- Understand the law enfircement role
The police shooting of Walker last June, struck more than 40 times by eight police, rocked the Akron community, and captured the attention of the nation.
On June 27, Walker, a 25-year-old unarmed Black man, fled officers making a stop in the North Hill area for burned-out taillights and plate light. He led them on a chase on Route 8 moving south, during which officers said he fired a shot at the officers in pursuit.
Exiting the freeway in south Akron, Walker got of his car while it was still moving, wearing a ski mask. Following a short foot chase into a parking lot, Walker turned to face officers, who said they perceived his movements as a threat, and opened fire.
According to the Summit County Medical Examiner and subsequent investigation, Walker was struck more than 40 times by eight officers firing an estimated 60 to 90 rounds.
Protests broke out in the city over the July 4th weekend resulting in damage to many downtown buildings, as local protestors were joined by groups from outside the area protesting police shootings.
On July 5, the city imposed downtown curfews. Exacerbating tension, protestors who defied the curfews were arrested during the demonstrations, with some asserting they were victims of police brutality and others saying they were arrested for walking to their cars. Videos were shared online they said supported their claims.
The city of Akron requested BCI lead the investigation. On July 6, Attorney General Dave Yost then issued a seven-minute video statement informing the Akron community his office would conduct an extensive, transparent review, which could take more than 400 hours to complete.
Activist groups Freedom Bloc (Freedom Black Led Organizing Collaborative), Serve the People Akron and Akron Democratic Socialists of America Freedom Bloc issued a list of demands to the city, and promised to remain in the streets until demands were met.
Protests took place over the next couple weeks, some peaceful outside City Council meetings, while angry mobs showed up at the homes of Mayor Dan Horrigan and City Council members, damaging property at some locations.
The mayor and police department launched daily briefings beginning July 11 to keep the community apprised of anything happening in regard to the Walker shooting.
The summer was marked by cries of "Justice for Jayland," which went on for weeks after Walker's public funeral at Akron Civic Theatre on July 13, for which bomb threats had been circulated in the days before.
Anxiety was present even for funeral attendees, as masked protestors with long guns paced the sidewalk in front of the theater doors, while other armed attendees stood silent but alert up against the theater's exterior walls.
In the months since, an uneasy tension has descended while the city awaits results of the BCI investigation.
On Tuesday, Mayor Dan Horrigan he alluded to the Walker shooting in his final state of the city speech, saying community leader Bishop Joey Johnson had noted in a conversation with the mayor that trust can be shattered in an instant yet take a long time to rebuild.
"In the days and weeks ahead there’s no doubt this community will need to trust each other more than we ever have as the independent investigations into the death of Jayland Walker become public and the grand jury makes a decision," Horrigan told the crowd. "We have to make sure we have the infrastructure in place to deal with both trauma and healing."
The New Hope Baptist Church Community Conversation Series is planned to be a component of that infrastructure, as the BCI results could be released in April, officials said.
