The killing of an African-American teenager who was shot by dozens of police bullets Monday in Akron, Ohio, sparked angry protests Friday in this city near Cleveland, in the northern United States (US).
Gayland Walker, 25, was killed while running police after trying to escape him for a traffic offence.
The city police said in a statement that the young driver shot its officers during the chase.
“The suspect’s actions led the officers to realize there was a mortal threat, and they fired from their weapons, killing the suspect as he fled,” it added.
Police stated they found a weapon in the car that the young driver had left.
The police officers involved in his murder have been administratively detained pending the completion of the judicial investigation.
Also, an internal inquiry was opened, according to what the police confirmed, which is considered to publish in the upcoming days the recordings of the cameras that were in possession of its members.
However, Police did not give details about the shooting. But according to local media, eight policemen fired more than 90 bullets at Walker.
“They hit him 60 times,” Black Lives Matter said on Twitter.
The Walker family called on the authorities Thursday to give them clarification, calling during a press conference for angry protests to remain peaceful at a time when demonstrators began gathering on Wednesday outside the city hall and the police station in Akron, called as the birthplace of basketball star LeBron James.
“He wasn’t a monster; he wasn’t someone who had participated in a crime in his life,” family attorney Bobby DeCillo told the press.
“Jayland was a nice guy, and he never caused any trouble,” his cousin, Laguana Walker Dawkins, said.
On Thursday, the city council decided to cancel an annual festival that was expected on the long weekend on the occasion of National Day (July 4), saying that “the time is not right for celebrations.”
