Akron, Ohio, shooting ignites protests

Mayor Daniel Horrigan declared a state of emergency Monday as protests against the death of Jayland Walker, an unarmed 25-year-old man who was shot by police June 27, escalated to property damage. Protesters chanted for justice after police released body camera footage showing eight officers firing at Walker. Authorities also canceled the city’s July 4 fireworks.

What led to the shooting? Police stopped Walker on a routine traffic check when it appeared someone fired a gunshot from the car. The footage showed Walker in a ski mask exiting the vehicle and running away. Police chased after him and said they opened fire when they believed he was about to fire on them. His body had more than 60 gunshot wounds. Officers later recovered a gun and a loaded magazine in his car. They also said they found a casing in the area where police believed a shot was fired from the car. The eight officers involved are on administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation.

Dig deeper: Read Carolina Lumetta’s report in The Stew on states considering whether to seize firearms from potential shooters.