Hundreds of people protested in Akron, Ohio, in the northern US on Sunday after a video of a black man being killed by police was released.
Gilland Walker, 25, was killed on June 27 while fleeing from police after committing a traffic violation, while a violent video released by police on Sunday showed the young man riddled with bullets. .
According to the New York Times, police explained that Walker had a traffic ticket and no criminal record and was initially looking for a traffic violation to stop him.
Eight officers directly involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave, according to department policy, police said.
“A handgun was later found in Mr. Walker’s car, and a bullet was found where they said he fired the shot, consistent with the weapon found in Mr. Walker’s car,” police said during the press conference.
A still photo released by police showed a gun on a seat and a gold ring belonging to Walker’s girlfriend, who had recently died in a car accident.
Anti-racism groups had called for a fourth day of protests in Akron, a city of 190,000 near Cleveland.
Fearing unrest, authorities deployed heavy equipment such as ice breakers near the police station to protect it.
On Sunday, Akron’s mayor and police called for calm after a video was released showing police killing a black man who his attorney said had been shot 60 times.
“Many want to voice their grievances publicly, and I fully support our residents’ right to peaceful assembly,” said Mayor Dan Horrigan. During a press conference, he expressed great regret and added: “But I hope people will accept that violence and destruction are not the solution.”
Police Chief Steve Millett said the medical examiner’s report listed 60 injuries on Walker’s body.
According to the police, the police officers who were involved in his murder were arrested until the end of the judicial investigation and an internal investigation was also started.
According to local media, eight police officers fired more than 90 rounds at Walker, while Black Lives Matter said on its Twitter account that Walker was hit “with 60 bullets.”
Walker’s family on Thursday demanded an explanation from authorities and called at a press conference to keep the angry protests peaceful, as demonstrators gathered outside City Hall and the police station in Akron, known as the hometown, since Wednesday. Basketball star LeBron James.
James tweeted Sunday that he was praying for his city.
“He wasn’t a monster, he wasn’t someone who participated in a crime in his life,” Walker family attorney Bobby DiCillo told the press.
“Jay Land was a good boy who never caused any trouble,” said his cousin, Laguana Walker Dawkins.
On Thursday, the city council decided to cancel the annual festival over the National Day long weekend, saying it was “not the right time for celebrations”.
According to a report in The New York Times, prosecutors will indict police officers involved in a crime, noting that charges are rarely brought in similar cases involving shootings at police or exchanges of fire during chases. to be
The newspaper noted that if it is proven that Walker used his own pistol, it could affect the prosecution of those involved in the young man’s murder.
Source: Lebanon Debate
