AKRON, Ohio — Akronites are invited to attend at least two more community dialogues with the Akron Police Department as the city prepares for the results of an investigation into the fatal police shooting of Jayland Walker.
The shooting, in which Walker was hit more than 40 times by eight Akron officers, has been under investigation by the Ohio Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation. BCI’s findings are now headed to a grand jury.
The grand jury is expected to be seated Monday, April 10, in Summit County Common Pleas Court and is expected to hear evidence over about a week, the Akron Beacon Journal reported.
In addition to a live Q&A session, the community events will cover information about the grand jury process, how police use-of-force investigations are conducted and how to safely assemble, the city said.
The first Q&A event with Akron Police and New Hope Baptist Church took place earlier in the week. At least two more community events are scheduled to take place next week:
- Ward 2 Councilman Phil Lombardo and Akron Police will host a meeting at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 5, at the Polish American Club, 472 E. Glenwood Ave. in North Hill. Enter the building through the Dan Street entrance
- The Goodyear Branch of the Akron-Summit County Public Library and Akron Police will host a meeting at 6 p.m., Thursday, April 6, at the library, 60 Goodyear Blvd. in Goodyear Heights in Akron.
According to ACLU Ohio, the role of the nine-member grand jury is to decide whether enough credible evidence is available to charge a defendant with a crime.
The jury can indict with votes by seven of the nine jurors, but an indictment doesn’t mean the defendant is guilty, ACLU said. The jury doesn’t have the power to decide whether the defendant is convicted.
In addition, a grand jury only hears evidence presented by the prosecutor, ACLU said. That can include evidence not permitted at a regular trial, including illegally obtained evidence and hearsay.
Last June, Walker, a 25-year-old unarmed Black man, fled after police attempted to make a stop for burned-out tail lights and plate lights. Walker led police on a chase, during which officers said he fired a shot at those in pursuit. He drove into a parking lot, stepped out of his still-moving vehicle wearing a ski mask and ran. Walker was fired on after he turned toward police and made movements officers said they perceived as threatening.
Following the shooting, protests erupted in the city, with some violent, resulting in arrests. Many downtown businesses suffered extensive damage. The city enforced curfews and cancelled public events.