The mayor’s office said Monday that the city of Akron will pay $4.8 million to the family of Jayland Walker, a Black man who was shot by eight police officers 94 times after he fired at least one round out his car window.
In a federal complaint filed last year, Walker’s family accused the officers of engaging in a “culture of violence and racism” within Akron’s police department and of employing excessive force, but a grand jury decided not to arrest them.
In a barrage of gunfire that rocked the city with protests and escalated tensions with police, Walker was shot 46 times during what started as a traffic stop on June 27, 2022.
Police saw Walker driving with a damaged taillight and a broken light on his rear license plate, according to the inquiry, and attempted to stop him before pursuing him. After refusing to stop, Walker reportedly fired a shot from his vehicle and fled on foot, according to the police.
The city said discussions on altering police practices are still ongoing with Walker’s family and the community at large. Officers are now prohibited from pursuing cars only for equipment infractions under the revised vehicle pursuit policy.
After the legal proceedings are concluded, the family’s attorneys stated they will talk about the settlement. “There’s more to the settlement than money. The family accomplished meaningful policy changes with its litigation efforts,” Bobby DiCello, a family attorney stated.
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According to a state inquiry, Walker, 25, ran away from police, hopped out of his still-moving automobile, and disregarded orders to halt and reveal his hands.
According to Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, the cops pursuing Walker thought he was about to shoot again when he grabbed for his waistline and raised a hand.
Walker’s family attorneys said the state’s inquiry was biased in favor of the cops. DiCello said the gun wasn’t aimed at anyone, disputing the state’s account of Walker shooting at officers after firing out his car window.
According to a police spokesman in February, the eight cops who fired at Walker were placed on leave, then returned to desk duty before going back to active duty.
