Jayland Walker is the latest victim of a police-related shooting, and the event’s details are still developing. Walker was reportedly a DoorDash driver who was stopped for a traffic violation, but things went left when eight officers fired 90 shots and reportedly struck him 60 times.
Local outlet WKYC obtained details of the shooting including an autopsy of Walker’s body, confirming that he was indeed hit with several bullets after police fired over 90 shots following a traffic chase this past Monday (June 27) in Akron, Ohio. The excessive barrage of gunfire caught the ire and criticism of activists both on the ground and online, and it’s since come out that Walker was unarmed.
Police bodycam footage of the shooting has not been produced but is said to be forthcoming and officials in the city and surrounding areas are anticipating protests and backlash.
“Use of force cases are always ugly. This case is ugly times 10,” said one Akron police official to WKYC in an unofficial statement.
According to accounts from Akron police, they claimed they tried to stop Walker from leading the chase shortly after midnight over a traffic violation and equipment problem. Walker allegedly sped off and the chase was on. The authorities also claim Walker fired a gun toward them and sources say a gun was found inside Walker’s vehicle. Online, many say that Walker was unarmed but nothing has been officially confirmed.
Police added in their statements that they used tasers at first but then fired their service weapons after Walker reportedly made a move that sparked them to act. Of the eight officers on the scene, seven of them were white.
Online, many are demanding answers to why it took 90 shots to take down the 25-year-old Walker. The family of Walker and activists in Akron are also in seek of the truth and city officials have canceled holiday weekend events in anticipation of protests. Reports are coming out that the officers involved in the shooting have been placed on paid administrative leave. The video footage is expected to be released shortly.
On Twitter, reactions to the shooting of Jayland Walker are underway. We’ve got them listed out below.
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Photo: Getty
1.
His name is Jayland Walker.
— Mr GFunk a.k.a. Firebar (@ColdPieceCITY) June 30, 2022
8 Akron Ohio cops fired 90 bullets at him, hitting him 60 times throughout hie entire body.
The cops pulled him over for a TRAFFIC VIOLATION.
He was 25.
He was a @doordash driver.
HE WAS UNARMED.
HE WAS MURDERED.#JaylandWalker pic.twitter.com/gb7Fi7fMzl
2.
For those justifying the murder of #JaylandWalker because of a ‘high-speed chase’…
— Bishop Talbert Swan (@TalbertSwan) July 1, 2022
Robert Long led police on a high-speed chase, He murdered 8 people.
Police used a pursuit intervention maneuver to stop his vehicle.
They never fired a bullet.
I wonder whyTE. pic.twitter.com/kTWCLKJNnC
3.
This is Jayland Walker. He was murdered in Akon, Ohio by 8 police officers (7 white) in one of the most horrific ways possible! Shot at 90 times getting hit with 60 bullets! His body totally mutilated. Police officers then cuffed his dead body #JaylandWalker pic.twitter.com/CdPl81upFb
— Daddy Fat Sacks (@SourD828) June 30, 2022
4.
How do you shoot 60 rounds into someone that’s unarmed, then handcuff his lifeless body. This is a new level of awful.#JaylandWalker
— TM (@TMoranEsq) July 1, 2022
5.
For anyone saying but Jayland Walker had a gun
— Melzy62 (@melzy62) July 1, 2022
1.Its his 2nd amendment right...
2. It was found in his car, not on his person.
3. No one, should be shot 60 times for a traffic stop. NO ONE.
4.Cops shoot because they are scared little bitches. #JaylandWalker
6.
A mass shooter can fire 90 times and walk away in handcuffs. The police shot at this man 90 times, handcuffed his dead body #JaylandWalker
— DeSunchild (@desunchild) July 1, 2022
7.
At this point, anyone who still thinks these murders by cop are anomalies, rather than trained action intentionally designed to keep Black people afraid and subjugated, is in full support of the unconscionable things they do to us. #JaylandWalker
— Marsha B. Murphy (@Marshamee) June 30, 2022
8.
There is NO reforming THIS.
— Gislaine Ngounou (@GislaineEdSpeak) July 1, 2022
There is NO reforming THIS.
There is NO reforming THIS.
There is NO reforming THIS.
There is NO reforming THIS. #JaylandWalker’s life matters. #BlackLivesMatter https://t.co/IYvsUcTpZQ
9.
My beloved cousin, pray for my family #JaylandWalker pic.twitter.com/U65ErgBWJZ
— Marcus Ferguson (@Ferg2006) July 1, 2022
10.
They shot him 60 times.
— Black Lives Matter (@Blklivesmatter) July 1, 2022
They shot him 60 times.
They shot him 60 times.
They shot him 60 times.
They shot him 60 times.
He was murdered by Akron police.
Say his name. #JaylandWalker