Body camera footage released by the city of Akron shows the April 1, 2024 shooting of a teen determined to be holding a fake gun by an Akron police officer. The teenager, Tavion Koonce-Williams, who was shot in the wrist on April 1 and treated for his injuries, appeared at a press conference on Friday morning in Akron alongside his family and attorney Imokhai Okolo. The teen's mother, Angel Williams, called for accountability and an end to excessive force against Black individuals by the Akron Police Department.
Body camera footage released by the city of Akron shows the April 1, 2024 shooting of a teen determined to be holding a fake gun by an Akron police officer.shot by an Akron , Ohio , police officer while holding what was determined to be a toy gun
Okolo invoked the case of 12-year-old Tamir Rice, who was shot and killed by a Cleveland police officer on Nov. 22, 2014, while holding a toy gun. The body camera video shows the officer, who was identified by the city of Akron as Ryan Westlake, arriving on the scene and asking the teen to put his hands behind his back before firing a single shot that appeared to strike the teen’s wrist. As the officer approached the teen, Koonce-Williams repeatedly screams, "it's fake, it's fake, it's fake," with his hands up in the air.
" is now grappling with the trauma of being profiled and having his life flash before his eyes after being shot," Okolo said. "Tavion was shot on the inside of his wrist, which clearly indicates his hands were up when he was shot."According to the city of Akron, Westlake is a nine-year veteran of the department and has been placed on paid administrative leave amid the investigation.
The Akron Fraternal Order of Police , the union representing Westlake, told Akron ABC affiliate WEWS that this "is an extremely difficult situation for everyone involved. There is always a concern each time an officer is faced with the incredibly challenging, split-second decision to defend himself and others against an armed suspect."
Akron Ohio Police Shooting Fake Gun Excessive Force Accountability Press Conference Black Individuals
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