Ohio BCI takes over investigation of fatal Akron police shooting of Jayland Walker
The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation has been asked to take over the investigation of a man shot to death early Monday morning by Akron police.
The victim has been identified as Jayland Walker, 25, of Akron.
The Summit County Medical Examiner's Office released Walker's name Tuesday morning, but Akron police and BCI refused to answer questions about the case.
The medical examiner's office said it will provide an update on Walker's cause and manner of death upon the completion of an examination that remained in progress Tuesday. Walker was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after 1 a.m.
Steve Irwin, press secretary for the Ohio Attorney General's Office, said BCI investigators were called by Akron police to help investigate the incident shortly after it occurred. The bureau was asked to take over the investigation later on Monday, he said.
In two recent fatal police shooting cases, BCI assisted the investigation led by Akron police.
Irwin said he had no further information about the incident and referred questions regarding BCI's role to city officials.
Akron police Public Information Officer Lt. Mike Miller confirmed BCI is leading the case and said the department will provide additional information in the coming days. In a text message, Miller said moving the investigation to BCI "... is the direction the chief has been moving in since his arrival."
Akron Police Chief Stephen Mylett, who joined the Akron force in August, declined to be interviewed on Tuesday, Miller said.
In a Monday press release, Akron stated BCI would assist in the investigation which when completed would be handed over to the Ohio Attorney General's Office for presentation to a Summit County grand jury.
Walker was shot by Akron police following a car chase that started about 12:30 a.m. in the city's North Hill neighborhood and ended in Firestone Park, with police saying Walker shot a gun during the pursuit. Police said they attempted to stop Walker's vehicle for a unspecified traffic violation but he instead drove off.
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City ordinance requires police to release bodycam footage of the incident within seven days.
Police said their initial investigation shows Walker jumped out of a moving car and was chased on foot into a parking lot off East Wilbeth Road, on the Bridgestone Americas campus. Walker then created a "deadly threat" that led officers to shoot at him, police said.
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The number of officers involved in the shooting or shots fired has not been released by police. All officers involved have been placed on administrative leave, which is standard practice. Police said multiple officers were on the scene at the time of the shooting.
This is the third fatal shooting by Akron police since Dec. 23. The prior two cases remain under investigation.
Beacon Journal reporter Jim Mackinnon can be reached at 330-996-3544 or jmackinnon@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow him @JimMackinnonABJ on Twitter or www.facebook.com/JimMackinnonABJ.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: BCI investigating fatal Akron police shooting of Jayland Walker
