Eight Ohio Police Officers Who Fatally Shot and Killed Jayland Walker After a Car Crash Will Not Be Charged

Eight Ohio Police officers who fatally shot and killed a 25-year-old black man following a car crash will not face any charges, an Ohio grand jury decided on Monday.

Walker was shot in June 2022 after he fled from a traffic stop. The death was followed by a 9-month-long investigation by BCI. Body camera footage shows Walker dying in a hail of bullets as officer unleashed their weapons on him.

Police said that Walker “refused” when he was pulled over for a minor traffic violation. He fled, following which he was chased on a freeway and city street before he pulled over at a parking lot where he was killed.

Police also claimed that Walker represented a “deadly shot” as he shot rounds from his car. He was wearing a ski mask at the time of his death, and a handgun, a loaded magazine, and a wedding ring were recovered from his car.

As per the Akron County medical officer, he was shot 46 times.  No illegal drugs or alcohol were detected in his autopsy.

The grand jury’s decision was widely anticipated after the case garnered state-wide attention. Akron County’s mayor released a statement in the wake of the imminent decision.

Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan released a statement on the impending decision Monday.

“As we prepare for whatever is to come from the grand jury as they make decisions in the officer-involved shooting of Jayland Walker, we remain committed to listening to our residents and making space for their voices and concerns, while also prioritizing everyone’s safety. At the beginning of this process, I asked our community to have patience with the investigation and we are now getting very close to some answers. I have an overwhelming amount of faith in the Akron community and I know we will lean into our partnerships and relationships through the uncertainty of the days ahead.”