The taking pictures of Jayland Walker final week is the newest high-profile police taking pictures of a Black individual beneath scrutiny.
Walker’s household desires him to be remembered as a fun-loving younger man who was vigorous, mentioned Robert Dejournett, a relative and the pastor of St. Ashworth Temple Church of God In Christ. He mentioned the household hopes the taking pictures will result in change.
“We want to take that, and we want to use it for the benefit of systemic change,” Dejournett mentioned. “We want to be treated like human beings, you know, Black men, young men, they’re afraid when it comes to police — that shouldn’t be,” Dejournett mentioned.
There had been protests over Walker’s killing Sunday that began peacefully however turned violent after night time fell, Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan mentioned. He mentioned there was “significant property damage done to downtown Akron” and police mentioned they arrested round 50 individuals after the group didn’t disperse.
Walker’s household had requested that any protests stay peaceable to honor his reminiscence.
DeAnna Hoskins, the Ohio-based president and CEO of nationwide felony justice reform nonprofit JustLeadershipUSA (JLUSA), mentioned the scene of the video exhibiting Walker’s encounter with police reminded her of a conflict zone given the variety of pictures fired, including that that is one other case of a Black man being shot and killed by police and being hunted as if he was an animal or property.
“Transparency of the videotape has allowed us to get to the bottom of stories or reports from the officers,” Hoskins mentioned. “But it also was a very traumatic experience for those who watch it as well. After a while you just you get exhausted of watching that.”
While particulars of the case — and the anticipated fallout — are nonetheless unfolding, Walker’s loss of life directs consideration again on how a visitors cease can change into deadly and revives years-long frustration with how police work together with Black individuals. Killings by the hands of legislation enforcement proceed to go away households devastated and social justice advocates calling for substantive reform and coverage adjustments.
In response to the video launch, NAACP Legal Defense Fund president and director-counsel Janai S. Nelson mentioned in an announcement that Walker’s killing highlights how the nation should reimagine police conduct surrounding visitors stops and the way society thinks about public security. Black drivers are disproportionately killed by legislation enforcement officers in visitors stops, he added.
“The tragic killing of Jayland Walker once again underscores just how deeply dysfunctional and discriminatory America’s system of policing continues to be,” Nelson mentioned. “As we understand them, the facts and video footage in Mr. Walker’s death give us significant pause about the legality of the officers’ conduct.”
Here is a have a look at a few of the most up-to-date high-profile and controversial police shootings and the outcomes:
Jayland Walker, 25
When: June 27, 2022
Where: Akron, Ohio
What occurred: According to police, the occasions that led to the taking pictures started round 12:30 a.m., when police tried to cease Walker, who was driving a silver Buick, for visitors and tools violations.
Walker fled the cease, in response to a narrated video timeline of the incident police performed at Sunday’s information convention, and officers started to chase after him.
About 40 seconds after Walker drove away from police, “a sound consistent with a gunshot can be heard on the body-worn cameras of the officers,” police mentioned within the narrated video. Police additionally mentioned “a flash of light” may very well be seen on the driving force’s facet of the automotive on the time of the sound.
After a number of minutes, physique digital camera video reveals that Walker’s car slowed, and he exited the car and ran. Several cops bought out of their patrol automobiles and chased him, and officers deployed Tasers in an effort to cease him, police mentioned, however had been unsuccessful.
The incident ended quickly after when, in response to a police timeline, Walker “stopped and quickly turned towards the officers,” and eight officers discharged their weapons on the unarmed man, firing dozens of bullets. At least one officer may be heard close to the top of movies that had been launched shouting, “Cease fire.”
What’s subsequent: The taking pictures stays beneath investigation by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigations (BCI).
The eight officers who Akron Police Chief Stephen Mylett mentioned had been “directly involved in the shooting” have all been positioned on paid administrative depart, per division coverage. According to data launched by town, seven of the officers are White and one is Black.
A medical expert’s report discovered Walker suffered not less than 60 wounds on account of the gunfire, Mylett mentioned Sunday, although the medical expert remains to be working to find out that are entrance wounds and that are exit wounds. The BCI will decide precisely what number of instances Walker was shot, Mylett mentioned.
The officers are “cooperating fully” with the investigation, the Akron police union mentioned in an announcement, including it believes the investigation will decide the officers’ use of power was justified.
Mylett mentioned officers retrieved a shell casing close to the scene of the tried visitors cease that was “consistent with the firearm that Mr. Walker had in his vehicle. The BCI will determine whether or not that casing came from the gun or not.”
The Summit County Medical Examiner’s Office didn’t launch the post-mortem document to CNN however confirmed Walker’s loss of life “is ruled a homicide and is considered a ‘confidential law enforcement investigatory record.'”
Walker died from a number of gunshot wounds to the face, stomach and higher legs, CNN affiliate WEWS reported, citing findings by its media accomplice, the Akron Beacon Journal.
A remaining post-mortem report might be turned over to the BCI, and the report might be a part of what the state legal professional common’s workplace considers for presenting a case to a grand jury.
Patrick Lyoya, 26
When: April 4, 2022
Where: Grand Rapids, Michigan
What occurred: The incident started simply after Eight a.m. ET on April Four when police say they pulled over a car for improper registration. The driver, Lyoya, bought out of the car and sooner or later, ran, Grand Rapids Police mentioned. Body digital camera footage confirmed the officer chasing and tackling Lyoya, leading to a minutes-long battle.
The officer tried to tase Lyoya not less than twice, in response to the police chief, however didn’t make contact as Lyoya put his arms on the Taser. At that time, the officer’s physique digital camera was by accident deactivated however mobile phone video reveals the deadly shot to the pinnacle, which can be heard in video from a house surveillance digital camera.
The outcomes: About per week after the taking pictures, Grand Rapids police launched a number of video clips exhibiting Lyoya’s whole encounter with a White police officer after a visitors cease, together with the second the officer fatally shot the 26-year-old Black man. Protests erupted in Grand Rapids after the video was launched, with a number of hundred individuals chanting, “Justice for Patrick.”
In early May, the Kent County medical expert’s workplace launched its post-mortem outcomes, exhibiting that Lyoya died from a gunshot wound of the pinnacle. The county’s post-mortem additionally discovered that Lyoya’s blood alcohol content material was greater than 3 times the authorized restrict. An post-mortem carried out by a pathologist employed by the Lyoya household confirmed the findings of the county medical expert: that Lyoya died from a gunshot wound.
Christopher Schurr — the previous officer who fired the deadly shot — was charged with second-degree homicide for the loss of life of Lyoya on June 9 and subsequently fired by the Grand Rapids Police Department lower than per week later. Schurr’s lawyer, Mark Dodge, mentioned at arraignment final month that his shopper was “justified in his use of force” and entered a not responsible plea on the rely of second-degree homicide. A decide set Schurr’s bond at $100,00zero and put in place a number of circumstances for his pretrial launch, together with that Schurr can not buy or possess weapons or drink liquor or use medicine.
Amir Locke, 22
When: February 2, 2022
Where: Minneapolis, Minnesota
What occurred: Minneapolis police had been executing a no-knock search warrant linked to a murder investigation in neighboring St. Paul, when a SWAT officer shot and killed Locke, who gave the impression to be asleep on a sofa when officers got here in. Locke wasn’t named within the warrant; Locke’s cousin was.
City officers did not launch a variety of data within the days after an officer shot Locke, aside from 14 seconds of video that they mentioned confirmed Locke with the gun.
The video reveals officers utilizing a key to open the residence’s door as officers shout, “Police! Search warrant!” Other officers yelled, “Hands! Hands! Hands!” and “Get on the f****ng ground!” as they strategy Locke, who was sleeping on the sofa and wrapped in blankets. One officer kicks the again of the sofa, waking up Locke. He begins to sit down up together with his gun in his hand as three pictures within the residence may be heard by officers.
The outcomes: Mark Hanneman — the Minneapolis SWAT officer chargeable for the deadly shot — was positioned on administrative depart however returned to energetic obligation on February 28. Last week, CNN reported prosecutors is not going to file any prices in opposition to Hanneman and any of the opposite officers concerned within the taking pictures attributable to inadequate admissible proof.
Following Locke’s loss of life, the Minneapolis mayor’s workplace introduced the police division can be prohibited from executing no-knock search warrants beginning April 8.
Daunte Wright, 20
When: April 11, 2021
Where: Brooklyn Center, Minnesota
What occurred: The younger father was pulled over by police for an expired tag and an unlawful air freshener. During the cease, officers discovered he had an impressive warrant and tried to arrest him, however Wright pulled away and tried to drive off.
As video of the incident reveals, Officer Kim Potter yelled, “Taser” repeatedly earlier than she shot Wright together with her handgun. She then mentioned, “Holy sh*t! I just shot him!” She added: “I grabbed the wrong f**king gun, and I shot him.”
The taking pictures led to days of unrest in suburban Brooklyn Center after a tumultuous 12 months of coast-to-coast protests over police brutality and the way officers work together with Black individuals.
The consequence: In December, Potter was discovered responsible of first and second-degree manslaughter in Wright’s loss of life. CNN reported in February that she was sentenced to 2 years in jail, far lower than the seven years and two months prosecutors requested.
George Floyd, 46
When: May 25, 2020
Where: Minneapolis, Minnesota
What occurred: Minneapolis Police responded to a report of a “forgery in progress” outdoors of a Cup Foods retailer the place Floyd was accused of passing a counterfeit $20.
Officers approached Floyd’s automotive, yanked him from the car, handcuffed him and started to battle with him in entrance of a squad automotive. Video digital camera footage confirmed one officer — in an effort to restrain Floyd — knelt on his neck for over 9 minutes. Floyd pleaded with officers to launch him saying, “I can’t breathe,” and repeatedly calling out for his mom. After a number of minutes, he was unresponsive.
The outcomes: The Minnesota governor issued an government order activating the nationwide guard amidst the protests following Floyd’s loss of life. Protests then unfold nationwide in the summertime of 2020 as #BlackLivesMatter resurged in recognition on social media.
Derek Chauvin — the officer who knelt on Floyd’s neck — was convicted of second-degree unintentional homicide, third-degree homicide and second-degree manslaughter for killing Floyd. Chauvin faces 22 years in jail.
In February, three different officers had been discovered responsible of violating Floyd’s civil rights. CNN reported Tuesday that they’re set to face trial in mid-June for his or her involvement in Floyd’s loss of life. They have all pleaded not responsible.
Ronald Greene, 49
When: May 10, 2019
Where: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
What occurred: Louisiana State Police (LSP) engaged in a car pursuit of Ronald Greene after making an attempt to drag him over for an unspecified visitors violation. LSP reported that the pursuit ended with Greene crashing his automotive right into a tree.
Two years later, physique digital camera footage of the incident was launched that confirmed state troopers repeatedly tasing, beating and violently dragging Greene. The household has filed a lawsuit, accusing the company of attempting to cowl up how Greene died. Greene’s household mentioned they had been initially instructed that he died in a automotive crash, however forensics examiners later eradicated the automotive crash as being a cause for his explanation for loss of life.
The post-mortem, ready by the Union Parish Coroner’s Office, states in its opinion part that lacerations of Greene’s head had been “inconsistent with motor vehicle collision injury and most consistent with multiple impacts from a blunt object.”
What’s subsequent: A particular committee has been investigating Greene’s case since 2019. Last May, two of the state troopers concerned in Greene’s loss of life had been reprimanded for his or her actions, particularly for violating physique digital camera procedures.
Last week, the native Louisiana district legal professional with jurisdiction over the city the place Greene died instructed state lawmakers he plans to convene a particular grand jury and pursue felony prices in opposition to the troopers concerned within the Black motorist’s loss of life.
There have been no arrests or indictments of any of the officers concerned. Meanwhile, the previous head of the LSP on Thursday failed to look at an enchantment listening to associated to the case.
Breonna Taylor, 26
When: March 13, 2020
Where: Louisville, Kentucky
What occurred: A Jefferson County circuit decide issued 5 search warrants in pursuit of Taylor’s ex-boyfriend, convicted of drug-related crimes.
One of these warrants was for Taylor’s residence, and Louisville Metro Police Department executed it early on the morning on March 13. Police introduced themselves and battered down the entrance door whereas Taylor and her boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, had been in mattress. Thinking they had been intruders, Walker fired one shot at officers with a gun he legally owned. Officers then responded with heavy hearth, fatally taking pictures Taylor through the raid.
The outcomes: Protests erupted in Louisville shortly after Taylor’s loss of life. The case began to achieve extra nationwide consideration following the homicide of Floyd in Minneapolis. Her loss of life — together with Floyd’s — sparked a racial reckoning within the US when demonstrators throughout the nation demanded an finish to discriminatory policing practices and impressed extra conversations about police brutality in opposition to Black girls.
The metropolis of Louisville agreed to pay Taylor’s household a $12 million settlement for his or her wrongful loss of life lawsuit, the very best settlement ever paid by town, in response to a spokeswoman from the Louisville mayor’s workplace.
Brett Hankinson — one of many officers concerned within the raid — was the one officer charged in reference to the taking pictures. He was acquitted on three counts of felony wanton endangerment in reference to the raid.
David McAtee, 53
When: June 1, 2020
Where: Louisville, Kentucky
What occurred: During a protest following the loss of life of Taylor and Floyd, Louisville police and the Kentucky National Guard had been despatched to disperse a big crowd of demonstrators round midnight in entrance of a BBQ stand McAtee owned. Officers started firing pepper balls into the group, one among which hit McAtee’s niece, McAtee’s nephew instructed CNN affiliate WAVE. Louisville Police launched a video the place McAtee seems to seize his niece and hearth pictures at officers. Louisville Police and the National Guard then took cowl and fired again, killing McAtee, in response to the previous police chief.
The outcomes: One former police officer has been indicted for unreasonable power in opposition to a person through the protest that result in McAtee’s loss of life. McAtee’s household additionally filed a wrongful loss of life lawsuit in opposition to 10 LMPD officers and 10 members of the Kentucky National Guard, accusing them of assault and battery, extreme use of power and negligence amongst different prices.
Atatiana Jefferson, 28
When: October 12, 2019
Where: Fort Worth, Texas
What occurred: Overnight on October 12, Fort Worth officers responded to a name from a involved neighbor who seen the entrance door was left open at Jefferson’s residence.
Jefferson was babysitting her nephew for her sister, who was recovering from coronary heart surgical procedure, when two Fort Worth cops arrived on the residence with out knocking. Police studies say Jefferson heard a noise outdoors, approached the window and pulled out her gun. Body digital camera footage reveals one officer demanding via the window for Jefferson to indicate her arms earlier than opening hearth via the window, killing her in entrance of her nephew.
The outcomes: In December 2019, a Texas grand jury indicted former Fort Worth officer Aaron Dean for Jefferson’s loss of life. The Fort Worth Telegram beforehand reported that Dean pleaded not responsible and was launched on bond in October 2019, with a trial scheduled for this May.
Jefferson’s father filed a wrongful loss of life lawsuit in opposition to town of Fort Worth and Dean. Jefferson’s sister filed a separate wrongful loss of life lawsuit in opposition to town of Fort Worth, Dean and Fort Worth’s former police chief.
Elijah McClain, 23
When: August 24, 2019
Where: Aurora, Colorado
What occurred: Elijah McClain was strolling residence from a comfort retailer when he was confronted by three officers in Aurora, Colorado in response to a 911 caller reporting a suspicious individual carrying a ski masks.
McClain “resisted contact” and a battle ensued, in response to a information launch from police.
McClain was wrestled to the bottom, in response to a letter from the Adams County District Attorney, and an officer proceeded to put him in a carotid maintain, limiting blood circulation to his mind. When paramedics arrived, they administered McClain ketamine, a robust anesthetic. He suffered a coronary heart assault en path to the hospital and was declared mind useless three days later.
The outcomes: Last 12 months, town agreed to pay the McClain household $15 million to settle the civil rights lawsuit the household filed after his loss of life.
A Colorado grand jury indicted three cops and two paramedics in September every on manslaughter and criminally negligent murder, amongst different prices as a part of a 32-count indictment. Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser opened the investigation after a viral petition advocated for the investigation and the Adams County District Attorney declined to carry prices in opposition to the officers.
The Colorado Attorney General’s Office launched a 14-month investigation into the Aurora police and hearth departments. The investigation discovered the police division had a sample of training racially biased policing and extreme power and had didn’t document legally required data when interacting with the neighborhood.
In November, town and the state of Colorado reached an settlement on the phrases of a consent decree to resolve points with the Aurora Police Department and Aurora Fire Rescue that had been recognized in a September “Patterns and Practices” report.
The consent decree covers 4 areas recognized within the Attorney General’s report: Racially Biased Policing, Use of Force, Documentation of Stops, and Ketamine and Other Chemical Restraints.
CNN’s Omar Jimenez, Alta Spells, Nick Valencia and Jade Gordon contributed to this report.
