Akron to pay $4.8 million for fatal shooting of Jayland Walker

AKRON, Ohio (Scripps News): The city of Akron has agreed to pay $4.8 million to the family of Jayland Walker, a Black man who was fatally shot by police after officers fired 94 bullets during an attempted traffic stop in June 2022. Walker, who was unarmed at the time of the shooting, had fled on foot after a car chase with Akron police. Despite firing so many shots, it remains unclear why Walker ran, and the shooting led to protests and calls for police accountability in the community.

The settlement, announced this week, comes after months of legal action from Walker’s relatives, who claim his death was the result of excessive force and racial bias. The officers involved in the shooting said they believed Walker had fired a gun during the car chase, but no weapon was found on him when he was killed. Akron city officials did not admit wrongdoing as part of the settlement but have pledged to continue efforts to review police procedures and implement reforms.

The shooting drew national attention and renewed debates about the use of deadly force, particularly in incidents involving Black individuals. Walker’s family has expressed relief over the settlement but continues to call for more comprehensive changes in law enforcement policies to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

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