In a landmark decision, the city of Akron will pay $4.8 million to the family of Jayland Walker, a 25-year-old Black man who was gunned down in a barrage of 94 bullets by police officers during a chaotic chase in June 2022. The settlement, announced Monday, brings closure to one of the most controversial police killings in recent history, sparking national outrage, protests, and demands for accountability.
Walker was shot 46 times after allegedly firing one round from his car during a police pursuit. The traffic stop, which began over minor equipment violations, quickly escalated into a deadly confrontation that has since rocked the city and intensified debates over racial injustice and police violence. While a grand jury declined to indict the officers, Walker’s family fought back with a federal lawsuit, accusing Akron’s police department of excessive force and harboring a “culture of violence and racism.”
The settlement goes beyond financial compensation. As family attorney Bobby DiCello noted, “There’s more to the settlement than money. The family accomplished meaningful policy changes with its litigation efforts.” One key reform involves Akron’s vehicle pursuit policy, which now restricts officers from chasing vehicles for minor equipment infractions—a direct response to the circumstances that led to Walker’s death.
Despite the settlement, emotions remain raw. The eight officers involved were placed on leave but later reinstated, a decision that has fueled further controversy. The family continues to push for full accountability, arguing that the officers used disproportionate force and that state investigations into the shooting were biased in favor of law enforcement.
As the case nears its legal conclusion, the Walker family hopes their relentless pursuit of justice will not only honor Jayland’s memory but also bring lasting changes to police practices in Akron and beyond.
