On June 27, 2022, at approximately 12:30 a.m., Akron police officers killed Jayland Walker, a 25-year-old American black man from Akron, Ohio, during a foot chase following an attempted traffic stop and car chase. Officers fired more than 90 bullets at Walker Walker was not carrying a weapon when killed, though a handgun was later located in his car. Officers allege that Walker fired one or more shots during the preceding car chase with this handgun. A bullet casing that police say is consistent with the recovered handgun was found in the area where police say Walker fired.
At approximately 2:30 a.m. on June 26, 2022, a New Franklin police officer attempted to pull over Walker's car for a broken taillight and license plate bulb. The driver failed to stop and drove "at speeds approaching 50 mph" on city streets before crossing the Akron city line, at which point the pursuing officer ended the less-than-three-minute chase; officers who pursued and eventually shot Walker the next morning were aware of this incident. According to the Akron Police Department, at about 12:30 a.m on June 27, 2022, police in Akron, Ohio, attempted to stop Walker for an unspecified traffic violation. Walker did not stop and a chase ensued. According to the pursuing officers, gunfire came from the vehicle less than a minute into the chase After several minutes, Walker exited the highway and the chase continued along city streets.
Eventually, Walker's car slowed down, and while the car was still moving, Walker exited from the passenger's side, wearing a ski mask, and ran towards a nearby parking lot Officers chased Walker and attempted to stop him with a stun gun but were not successful After about ten seconds of chasing Walker, eight police officers opened fire for six or seven seconds shooting approximately 90 rounds Police said that it appeared Walker was turning towards them, and they believed he was armed and "moving into a firing position"
Following the shooting, Walker was put in handcuffs by police and was found with his hands cuffed behind his back when EMTs arrived on the scene According to police, officers attempted to administer first aid to Walker after he was shot Walker was pronounced dead at the scene The medical examiner observed 60 wounds on Walker's body, with some uncertainty based on entrance and exit wounds No firearm was found on Walker's body The Summit County Medical Examiner’s Office has ruled his death a homicide.
