AKRON, Ohio — With the grand jury results of the officer-involved shooting of Jayland Walker expected soon, the city of Akron is putting supports in place, including relaunching a "critical information” website, the city said in a release.

The Walker shooting has been under investigation by the Ohio Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation since the June 27 incident. BCI’s findings are now headed to a grand jury, expected to be seated on or around April 10, with results expected roughly a week later. 

What You Need To Know

  • Akron is relaunching its Akron Updates website ahead of the grand jury results in the Jayland Walker shooting

  • The website will offer updates on the grand jury, road closures, protest zones, safety updates, press conferences and more

  • The Walker shooting has been under investigation by the Ohio Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation

  • BCI’s findings are now headed to a grand jury that's expected to return results soon

A grand jury has the power to indict defendants but not convict. If any Akron officers are indicted, the case then moves to traditional court, the city said.

The Akron Updates website was initially set up last summer to provide the community with updates following the Walker shooting, which resulted in demonstrations around the city, some of which turned violent.

The city is now bracing for any fallout from the grand jury results, with Akron police appearing at community meetings around the city to take questions and provide information about safely and legally protesting, and use-of-force investigations, while city officials explain the grand jury process. 

The Akron Updates website has been rebuilt to meet the current situation, the city said, and will be continually updated in the coming weeks.

The city and Akron police have been preparing for the grand jury results since last summer, said Stephanie Marsh, Akron’s chief communication officer. 

That preparation has included a establishing better lines of communication with residents, she said. 

“Over the last few weeks, we’ve attended dozens of community meetings to help explain the grand jury process with residents, business owners, local leaders and beyond,” she said. “We are committed at every step of the way to transparently provide critical safety information and resources to our residents and this website will be a helpful tool in that regard.”

The Akron Updates website will keep users informed about:

  • The grand jury 
  • Mental health resources
  • Approved demonstration zone for lawful protests
  • Real-time road closures 
  • Press conference(s) and releases
  • Critical, real-time downtown safety updates
  • Social media links
  • The Akron Police Department hub

The city will also keep social media users updated though its Facebook and Twitter pages. See the Akron Updates website for more information. 

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