'Seen it too many times': Akron community reacts to decision in Jayland Walker shooting

Members of the community have begun reacting to the news that a special grand jury has decided eight police officers involved in the killing of Jayland Walker last summer will not be charged.

Eight Akron officers fatally shot Jayland Walker 46 times on June 27 after he led officers on a crosstown car chase, during which police say the 25-year-old Black man fired a single shot from his vehicle. Walker was unarmed and running in a ski mask when he was shot after a short foot chase near Wilbeth Road and South Main Street. A handgun was found in his vehicle, police said.

The incident has become the subject of protests, the creation of a new civilian-led police review board, plans for new cruiser dashcams and strained relations between Akron’s police and citizens.

Grand jury decision: No criminal charges for 8 Akron officers who shot Jayland Walker

More on the case: What does a 'no bill' mean from grand jury in Jayland Walker case?

Here are reactions from Akron leaders and community members:

U.S. Rep. Emilia Strong Sykes, D-Akron

In an email statement, U.S. Rep. Emilia Strong Sykes said she would be formally requesting the Department of Justice to begin an investigation into the patterns and practices of the Akron Police Department.

“We’ve seen it too many times. A routine traffic stop ends in death, and a family and community mourn the loss of a son. A brother. A friend. A neighbor. As this country and community reckons with another tragic death, we find ourselves yearning for a justice system that protects us all.

“The safety and security of our neighborhoods requires trust between the community and the law enforcement officers who have taken an oath to protect and serve, but this trust has been violated and must be rebuilt. As such, I will formally request the Department of Justice to begin an investigation into the patterns and practices of the Akron Police Department to start the process of understanding how the department operates and look to create solutions for more community-focused policing that serves the needs of every segment of our community.

“Finally, as people begin to express their anger, grief, and concern through their Constitutional right to protest, I ask that you remember the words of Jayland’s family and honor his memory by protesting without violence. After the TV crews leave and the nation is no longer watching, it will only be us left to pick up the pieces. Our community deserves the chance to heal and move forward which we will do, must do — together,” Sykes said.

More: Akron mayoral candidates call for change after grand jury decision in Jayland Walker case

Akron Bail Fund

Akron Bail Fund, a local activist group, reacted with anger to the news, stating “#Justice4Jayland forever and we won’t stop til we get it,” on Twitter.

ACLU of Ohio

Demetrius Travis Sr., cousin of Jayland Walker

Demetrius Travis Sr., cousin of Jayland Walker, said in a text message: "Disappointment cannot began to express how I feel about this decision, Even though I expected this decision, based off many actions by the city of Akron, to protect their buildings and block off streets, Whatever happens because of this decision is not on the Walker family, it is due to a continuing disregard for the lives of black and brown people in the United States of America, as we watched it being displayed in Attorney General Yost live press conference, to justify killing an unarmed citizen, they decided to assassinate Jayland's character! My heart breaks yet again for his mother Pam, my cousin Jada, I hope we get laws changed for the next family to get justice, because ours did not!"

Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro

Akron chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America

In a statement posted online, the Akron chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) denounced the grand jury's decision.

"We furthermore denounce the current state of affairs, in Akron and across the entire United States, where police continue to have the power to murder people–especially Black and working-class people–with near-impunity; where police continue to assume the role of judge, jury, and executioner in people’s streets, communities, and homes; and where our current institutions continue to be unable to defend us against police violence," the group said.

"While police claim that they found a firearm in Walker’s car, Walker was unarmed as he fled from and was killed by police. Despite this evidence, and despite the egregious nature in which Walker’s life was taken by the police, the grand jury found it appropriate to not indict the officers who killed Walker."

Calling Walker's death a "grave injustice," the group also said it was evidence of a larger societal problem of people killed by police and a systemic problem within the criminal legal system.

NAACP Akron President Judi Hill

Judi Hill, president of NAACP Akron, said she's not surprised by the grand jury's decision during a press conference St. Ashworth Temple Church of God In Christ.

"As I said before, I am not surprised," Hill said. "I had hoped that we would be the change that is needed, not just in Akron but across this country. I thought the nature of this crime in itself would help us make some changes. But the city needs to be on notice. This is just the beginning. We still have to make systemic changes. We have to make changes in the way that they do policing and Akron to chase somebody about a taillight that cost their life. That's crazy."

NAACP

The Freedom BLOC Executive Director Ray Greene

Ray Greene, executive director of The Freedom BLOC, said he disagreed with the grand jury's decision during a press conference St. Ashworth Temple Church of God In Christ.

"A Black man can continue to be lynched in America with no repercussions. We all see the evidence. We all seen what happened. We all seen the gun land on the seat − to come up with anything other than what the people of Akron have seen is a disgrace and a travesty. And justice is not being served again. Again, a Black man is able to be brutally murdered by the police department and no one has been held accountable in court," Greene said.

The Freedom BLOC also tweeted a statement:

Love and Justice Coalition

The Love and Justice Coalition, which formed after tensions in the wake of the Walker case, expressed outrage and disappointment in the decision in a press release.

"To conclude that there was not one wrongdoing after shooting an unarmed black man over 40 times is proof that our judicial systems are steeped in institutional racism and needs to be changed," the release said.

The statement also mentioned that this event has "shaken Akron, Ohio and the world to its core."

"The lack of indictment is a clear statement to both, Jayland Walker’s mother, Pamela Walker, and Akron as a grieving community that the collective trauma brought by this public execution has gone unnoticed. This poor decision will further allow the marginalized black community to understand that responsibility will still elude thecaught and accused, in the case of black life," the press release said.

Ohio Rep. Tavia Galonski, D-Akron

State Rep. Tavia Galonski, D-Akron, issued a statement following the announcement of the grand jury's no-bill.

“I am the mother of a Black man. I cannot imagine the anguish the Walker family must be feeling as they continue to mourn and heal from the loss of their loved one, and I extend to them my deepest condolences,” said Galonski. “As many of us continue to grieve and make sense of Jayland’s death, I ask for everyone to be peaceful and calm. Once the findings from the Bureau of Criminal Investigation are made public, then we will all have a better understanding of this tragedy and how we can work together as a community to make sure that it never happens again.”

United Way of Summit & Medina

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, called on the Department of Justice to continue to investigate the incident over Twitter.

"The Walker family has lived one of Black parents’ worst nightmares over the last year, and today’s verdict only adds fresh pain. I call on the Department of Justice to continue to investigate to provide closure for this family and this community," the first of three tweets in his thread said.

President and CEO of East Akron Neighborhood Development Corp. Cheryl Stephens

Cheryl Stephens, president and CEO of East Akron Neighborhood Development Corp., said she was disappointed in the grand jury decision.

"I am concerned that given what we know as the public, that there were no indictments — surprised and concerned," she said. "... I know some younger people that are looking for a place to protest now."

Stephens said the decision was especially difficult for Walker's family.

"I did talk to someone in the extended family and they said the family is devastated," Stephens said.

Stephens called on the attorney general's office to be open with the public about how the grand jury decision was made.

"We hope the state and the grand jury will be very transparent in how they handle things so we in the public can understand," Stephens said. "What was the guidance given to them?"

Ohio Democratic Party Chair Elizabeth Walters

Ohio Democratic Party Chair Elizabeth Walters released a statement following the grand jury's decision.

“Our hearts go out to Jayland Walker’s family and loved ones today. No one should ever have to endure the pain of losing someone they love in such tragic circumstances. As many Ohioans gather to protest today’s decision, we urge them to take every precaution possible to keep themselves and the broader community safe and to heed the calls of Mr. Walker’s family to remain peaceful. Ohio Democrats will continue our work to create fairer, safer and more just communities for all Ohioans who call our state home,”said Walters in the statement.

The Nightlight cinema

Serve the People Akron

Serve the People Akron told the Akron Beacon Journal over Instagram that the grand jury's decision did not come as a shock.

"We are hurt but not surprised by the decision. Grand Juries rarely ever indict killer cops because it is not in the interest of the state and the city to hold their foot soldiers accountable. We will not stop until there is justice and peace for Jayland Walker, Mohammad Isaifan, and every other life lost at the hands of the Akron Police Department. That will mean nothing less than the total abolition of the APD, which is a task we are fully committed to accomplishing in our lifetimes," their Instagram message said.

Beacon Journal reporters George Thomas and Alan Ashworth contributed to this article. 

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Jayland Walker case: Community reacts to grand jury's no-bill decision