Family of Jayland Walker speaks to 3News after Akron police shooting

Autopsy records confirm that an unarmed Akron man was struck dozens of times by a barrage of more than 90 shots fired by police officers following a chase early Monday morning.

For a heartbroken mother and sister of Jayland Walker, the answer they seek is increasingly elusive.

“Why? Why did this happen in such a manner, such a terrible, terrible way"” Walker’s mother, Pamela, said Thursday in an exclusive interview with 3News Investigates.

It’s hard for Pamela Walker to understand what happened the night her only son was shot in a hail of police gunfire.

To the family, that’s not Jayland. He was a good son, a speeding ticket his only previous encounter with police.

He was 25 years old, a hard-worker, delivering packages and restaurant orders all around Akron, all while dreaming of one day running his own company, or creating his own sounds.

He was a Buchtel High grad, who lost his high school sweetheart in a car crash just a month ago.

Early Monday morning, Akron police tried to stop his car for a traffic infraction along East Tallmadge Avenue. Instead of stopping, Walker sped off. Police radioed to dispatch they heard gunfire from Walker’s car and a chase was initiated.

Walker led officers for four minutes, until jumping from his moving car on East Wilbeth Road near South Main Street. Walker ran toward a Bridgestone Tire employee parking lot.

By now, eight Akron police officers converged, guns drawn.

What happened next is unclear, but Walker was killed as the officer unloaded over 90 shots, striking the Akron man over 60 times. Officers say Walker made a motion that caused them to fear for their lives.

The gun Walker is believed to have fired was still in his car, police sources have told 3News Investigates. Shell casings from his gun were found inside his car and on the roadway near state Route 8, police sources told 3News Investigates.

The eight officers are now on paid leave while the Ohio Bureau of Investigation leads a review of the shooting.

Mark Naymik reports: https://www.wkyc.com/article/news/investigations/3news-investigates-exclusive-interview-family-jayland-walker-killed-gunfire-8-akron-officers/95-22ec5242-a724-440b-b0ef-4e5590e6330e