Local officials flood social media after Jayland Walker shot and killed by Akron police
As attention surrounding the fatal shooting of Jayland Walker by Akron police grows, local and state officials took to social media to express their condolences and call for transparency during the investigation.
Akron's third fatal shooting by a police officer in six months took place early Monday when Walker, 25, was killed following a brief car chase that began in the city's North Hill neighborhood and ended in Firestone Park.
In their words: Summit County Black elected officials speak out about Akron police shooting
Akron reaction
During a press conference Thursday with the Walker family, Akron NAACP President Judi Hill called for peace and understanding.
“Jayland Walker — I’m going to say his name over and over — Jayland Walker was somebody’s son. Jayland Walker was somebody’s nephew. Jayland Walker was an individual. He wasn’t just another Black man killed," she said.
“He’s a young man, 25, who lost his life over a traffic equipment violation,” Hill said. “I understand the family asked for peace. I want peace and understanding.”
Akron City Councilman Shammas Malik posted a reaction on the shooting on his Facebook and Twitter.
"We still don’t know exactly what happened Sunday night, but we know that a young man is dead, his family is grieving an irreversible loss, and our community is seeking answers," he wrote.
Further thoughts on the killing of Jayland Walker: pic.twitter.com/YJXkHUofTK
— Shammas Malik (@shammasmalik) July 1, 2022
Akron city councilwoman Tara Mosley told residents to honor Walker's memory by demanding accountability and asked them to protest peacefully.
“I encourage our City, County and State residents to respect Jayland’s memory and his family’s wishes. They have asked for peace and if we want justice to be served, we must make sure Jayland’s name is not associated with chaos,” she wrote in a public letter Saturday.
Adding, “Let there be no doubts, I will stand with you and will be by your side in the fight for justice.”
In a series of tweets Saturday, U.S. Rep. Shontel Brown called for transparency, saying she'd asked the Department of Justice to monitor the investigation.
I join with the Akron community in mourning the death of #JaylandWalker, and I believe we owe it to him and his family to ensure a thorough and transparent investigation of his death.
— Rep. Shontel Brown (@RepShontelBrown) July 2, 2022
State Sen. Vernon Sykes said he grieves with the family.
"I question how a traffic violation can lead to the death of a community member," he said in a tweet thread, saying the investigation into the shooting must be thorough, but released to the public as soon as possible.
The death of Jayland Walker is an unthinkable tragedy that affects our entire community. My sympathies are with his family and friends. I grieve with them. I question how a traffic violation can lead to the death of a community member.
— Senator Vernon Sykes (@DrVernonSykes) July 1, 2022
State Rep. Tavia Galonski expressed her condolences to the family of Walker and posted information about the Akron NAACP's march and rally on Sunday.
With tomorrow’s release of the body camera footage, we will have more information. My sincere condolences to the family of Jayland Walker. I pray for peace.
— Rep. Tavia Galonski (@RepGalonski) July 2, 2022
In a statement published on Twitter and Facebook, State Rep. Emilia Sykes called for transparency.
"The circumstances of Jayland’s death raise serious concerns that will require thoughtfulness and sensitivity to the bereaved and the investigative process," she wrote.
I extend my sincere condolences to the friends and family of Jayland Walker. pic.twitter.com/rfDC04hm7R
— Emilia Sykes (@EmiliaSykesOH) July 1, 2022
Statewide reaction
Elizabeth Walters, the Ohio Democratic Party chair who also serves as Summit County Council president, tweeted out a call for transparency in the investigation into the police shooting
Honesty, transparency, and accountability must be what we pursue in the coming days and weeks as we learn more about the killing of Jayland Walker.
— Elizabeth Walters (@lizmwalters) July 1, 2022
Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro tweeted out a statement urging people to be patient as they await more information about the shooting of Jayland Walker.
Statement from Executive Shapiro. pic.twitter.com/BjVLkZSoSY
— Executive Ilene Shapiro🏳️🌈 (@SummitExecutive) July 1, 2022
Gubernatorial candidate Nan Whaley echoed other officials in asking for transparency in a tweet thread.
Jayland Walker’s death is a tragedy and my thoughts are with his family and community during this awful time.
— Nan Whaley (@nanwhaley) July 1, 2022
Former state Senator Nina Turner called for justice for Walker in a series of tweets Friday afternoon.
"Jayland Walker's family deserves justice, but justice would be Jayland making it home," she wrote.
Jayland Walker was shot at by Akron cops 90 times and hit 60 times.
He was handcuffed after.
Jayland Walker’s family deserves justice, but justice would be Jayland making it home.
These officers must be held accountable.#JaylandWalker pic.twitter.com/3yMwLzw3h4— Nina Turner (@ninaturner) July 1, 2022
Reporter Molly Walsh can be reached at mwalsh@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Reactions flood social media after Jayland Walker killed by police