Black Man Shot by Police in Akron, Ohio
Special Grand Jury Declines to Indict Officers
State Investigation May Reveal More
On April 4, 2023, a special grand jury in Ohio declined to indict the eight Akron police officers who shot and killed Jayland Walker, a 25-year-old Black man. The officers involved in the shooting claim Walker fired at them first, while Walker's family alleges he was unarmed.
The decision not to indict the officers has sparked outrage in the Akron community and across the United States. Protests have been held demanding justice for Walker and accountability from the police department.
In response to the grand jury's decision, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced that his office would conduct an independent investigation into the shooting. Yost said the investigation would focus on "the facts of the case, the law applicable to those facts, and the decisions made by all involved." The investigation is expected to take several months.
The state investigation is expected to shed more light on the circumstances surrounding Walker's death. It may also help to determine whether or not the officers' use of deadly force was justified.
The family of Jayland Walker has expressed disappointment with the grand jury's decision but has said they will continue to fight for justice. They have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city of Akron and the police department.
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