African Americans killed by US police: "More than 60 wounds" - wave of protests, use of tear gas

Created: 04/07/2022, 17:24

By: Lukas Schierlinger

"Justice for Jayland" is demanded by demonstrators in the US state of Ohio.

The 25-year-old African American died at the end of June during a police operation.

Akron - Several hundred protesters marched through the city of Akron, Ohio, on Sunday (July 3).

Bone of contention: The death of an African American who died in the course of a police operation.

25-year-old Jayland Walker had been killed a few days earlier by multiple shots from police guns.

"Justice for Jayland" chanted the angry crowd in front of Akron City Hall.

African Americans killed in Akron, Ohio: Police use tear gas against protesters

It was the fourth straight day of demonstrations against deadly police violence in Akron.

As on the previous days, the protest was peaceful during the day.

Towards evening, however, tensions increased.

During the night, some demonstrators set fire to dumpsters and smashed the windows of snowplows and other heavy vehicles that authorities had brought near the police station as a cordon in anticipation of unrest.

Police used tear gas to push the crowd back.

Demonstrators gather outside Akron City Hall to protest the killing of Jayland Walker, who was shot dead by police.

© Matthew Hatcher/AFP

The authorities had previously published two videos of the operation against Walker on Sunday.

For the first time, the police also provided more detailed information about the incident.

The footage was accompanied by a police comment, which said Walker failed to comply with police orders to stop his car for violating traffic regulations and drove away.

A shot was fired from Walker's car during the chase.

Deadly police violence in the US?

Various reactions to the Jayland Walker case

The African American then continued his flight after several minutes on foot.

Officers tried to stop him with tasers, but he kept running.

Walker was eventually caught by the police in a parking lot.

However, the images released by a body camera are too blurry to reveal what happened next.

However, shortly after the incident, police said Walker had behaved in a manner that officers perceived as a "deadly threat."

All police officers present then opened fire on the African American.

Walker was pronounced dead on the spot.

Local Police Chief Steve Mylett said he does not know the exact number of shots fired at Walker.

However, according to the forensic report, his body had "more than 60 wounds".

An independent investigation into the police operation has been launched, Mayor Dan Horrigan said.

He was "heartbroken" over the incident.

According to Mylett, the eight officers involved in the operation were suspended from duty pending the investigation.

George Floyd's death caused consternation worldwide: there were repeated cases of police violence in the USA

Basketball star LeBron James, who comes from Akron, a city of 190,000, said on Twitter on Sunday that he was praying for his hometown.

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Cases of deadly police violence against African Americans repeatedly spark outrage and protests in the United States.

The death of African American George Floyd in a brutal police operation in the city of Minneapolis in 2020 caused a worldwide sensation.