The eight Ohio police officers who fired dozens of rounds at Jayland Walker, a 25-year-old Black man, following a car and foot chase have returned to duty, due to staffing shortage, according to the police chief.
Akron Police Chief Steve Mylett said in a statement Tuesday that the officers were back at work on Monday. They had been placed on paid administrative leave following theAccording to the chief, the officers were back on duty to alleviate a staffing shortage, adding that the decision"was not made in haste" but after"honest, difficult" conversations with community leaders.
"The consensus of these conversations was an agreement that this step would provide needed relief and support to ensure there are no interruptions in the services we provide to the community," Mylett said. The officers will not be in uniform or work patrol duties — they have been reassigned to administrative duties, the police chief said.
"We recognize that this decision will cause concern for the Walker family and the community, and we are sensitive to those concerns," Mylett said. Walker's deathA preliminary autopsy showed Walker was shot at least 40 times. Two officers initially tried to stop Walker's car for minor equipment violations. Walker refused to stop and, seconds into the pursuit, a shot was fired from his car, police said. The officers chased the car onto a freeway and back onto city streets.
Walker a short time later stopped and bailed from the car. Ignoring officers' commands, he ran into an adjacent parking lot where he was killed in a hail of police gunfire, police body cam video shows. Authorities said Walker represented a"deadly threat." A handgun and a wedding ring were found on the driver's seat of his car.Trending News
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
River North shooting: Ohio Street ramp at Kennedy Expressway closed after shots fired between vehiclesThere is an investigation underway after shots were fired at a busy intersection in Chicago's River North neighborhood early Monday.
Read more »
Election 2022: Who is running for state treasurer in Ohio?Ohio's treasurer appoints public pension board members, gives below market loans to farmers and manages Ohio's billions in investments.
Read more »
Q&A: Ohio Senate candidate Tim Ryan talks inflation, abortion and concerns about democracyU.S. Senate candidate Tim Ryan sat down with USA TODAY Network Ohio to discuss the economy, his appeal to moderates and more.
Read more »
Tim Ryan 'all by his lonesome' as national Democrats ignore close Ohio Senate raceDemocrats are increasingly fearful that they are squandering a chance to flip a Senate seat in Ohio, a state that according to polls remains close four weeks from Election Day.
Read more »