The investigation of the fatal police shooting of Jayland Walker in Akron last summer resulted in hundreds of documents. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation recorded more than 100 interviews, including 47 Akron officers, served six search warrants and four subpoenas, collected more than 140 items of evidence from the scene and Walker’s car, and reviewed 51 body-worn camera-footage clips and one dash-camera video. The case took more than a week to present to a Summit County grand jury as Akron braced for protests and the possibility of violence. Monday afternoon, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced the decision: no charges. He also released hundreds of evidence photos, officer interview transcripts, and a timeline of texts and Google searches that began when Walker’s fiance died in a car crash. Yost said in the news conference: “The question for the grand jury was not whether this was a horrible tragedy, as it clearly was.” - Laura |
Overnight Scores and Weather |
Northeast Ohio weather forecast: Snow possible |
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Jayland Walker with his mother, Pamela, and sister, Jada. (Photo provided by Demetrius Travis Sr.) |
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Jayland Walker: A Summit County grand jury declined to indict eight Akron police officers who fired 94 shots at an unarmed Jayland Walker last summer, reports Adam Ferrise. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, whose office investigated the shooting and presented evidence, said the officers were “justified” under Ohio law because they believed Walker posed a direct threat to their safety. Walker had fired a gunshot during a car chase. Family reaction: Jayland Walker’s mother and sister screamed in anger when they learned that a Summit County grand jury declined to indict the eight Akron police officers who shot and killed him last summer, the family’s attorney said. Moments after Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced the decision, the anger of residents poured out, Molly Walsh and Olivia Mitchell report. Robert DeJournett, Walker’s cousin and the pastor at St. Ashworth, said despite the city’s calling for peace, the Walker family is struggling to control their emotions. Police perspective: Akron police officers told investigators that they believed Jayland Walker had a gun and was about to shoot them when he reached for his waistband as they chased him June 27 of last year. The statements were part of hundreds of pages of documents Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost released Monday, hours after a grand jury declined to indict the officers who shot Walker. Airport leader: Bryant Francis, 49, the director of aviation at Oakland International Airport in California, will be the next director at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, where he is expected to oversee a $2 billion plan to rebuild the aging facility. He starts in May. Susan Glaser reports that in his 25-plus year career, Francis has worked at airports in Detroit, Atlanta, Louisiana and Idaho. Today in Ohio: Thousands of drivers have been ticketed from the few suburbs across Greater Cleveland that dole out fines via traffic cameras. We’re talking about the tickets, and the big bucks they rake in in tiny Linndale, on Today in Ohio, cleveland.com’s daily half-hour news podcast.
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Jim Jordan: House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan took his political road show to New York on Monday to hear testimony from witnesses who claim the prosecutor who charged ex-President Donald Trump with falsifying business records routinely ignores and mishandles street crimes. Sabrina Eaton reports that as the hearing kicked off, demonstrators outside the room could be heard shouting “the hearing is a sham.” Pro-Republican spectators in the hearing room cheered loudly for the witnesses several times, even though Jordan threatened to eject them. Minimum wage: The bipartisan Ohio Ballot Board on Monday unanimously advanced a proposed state constitutional amendment that would increase the state minimum wage to $15 an hour, which allows backers to begin collecting signatures to get it on the ballot. Laura Hancock reports Raise the Wage Ohio hopes to put the proposal on the ballot in November 2024. Medical marijuana: Ohio lawmakers may strip the Ohio Board of Pharmacy of its regulatory role over medical marijuana dispensaries, instead giving oversight to the Ohio Department of Commerce. Laura Hancock reports the governor’s office says the proposal is a “consolidation for efficiency.” Mike Pence: Former Vice President Mike Pence, who is weighing whether to run for president in 2024, will speak at an Ohio evangelical organization’s May 9 fundraiser. Laura Hancock reports the Center for Christian Virtue’s 2023 Cincinnati Celebration Gala will be at the Duke Energy Convention Center. |
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Cleveland’s Promise: A bright fifth-grader in Mr. John Whelan’s homeroom in Almira Elementary School has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Cameron Fields reports that T.J. sometimes disrupts class, like the time he randomly threw pencils across the room, frustrating some of his classmates. But his teachers work with him one-on-one and are noticing an improvement with a higher dose of medication. Kid population: In 2022, Ohio had 2,562,550 children aged 0 to 17, making up about 21.8% of the total population. This was 29,336 fewer children than just two years ago and 168,000 less than in 2010, when children comprised 23.7% of the population. Zachary Smith reports the shifting demographics have wide ramifications, from the number of seats and teachers needed in classrooms to a possible shortage of young workers for entry-level jobs in the future. |
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Diabetes: A pilot program with the goal of assisting people diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes manage their health is being offered online and in-person through the West Shore Family YMCA. Gretchen Cuda Kroen reports that during the course of the 10-week program, participants will learn about how food and exercise choices will impact their blood sugar. Cheap gas: Sheetz is selling gasoline for under $2 a gallon through April 30, but your vehicle may or may not be able to use it. Sean McDonnell reports that’s because Sheetz is only discounting E85, also known as Flex Fuel, to $1.85 a gallon. TREO: From scrap yard to deluxe living, a Chicago developer believes its first entry into the Cleveland apartment market will offer something unique. The TREO Apartments on the 2400 block of West 25th Street on the edge of the Tremont and Ohio City neighborhoods is the first Cleveland endeavor for Chicago-based Mavrek Development, reports Megan Sims. Cedar Point: Cedar Point has lowered the price of gate admission from $85 last year to $80 for 2023. The last time Cedar Point lowered the cost of gate admission was in 2006 in the leadup to the Great Recession, when the price dropped to $39.95 from $44.95 the year before, reports Susan Glaser. |
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Facebook robbery: An arrest warrant has been issued for a Cleveland man who police say lures victims to a vacant home in the city’s North Shore Collinwood neighborhood by brokering deals with them on Facebook Marketplace, only to rob them at gunpoint, reports John Tucker. |
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'SNL': Cleveland native Molly Kearney, the first nonbinary cast member in the 48-year history of "Saturday Night Live," had their breakout moment in Saturday's episode hosted by Ana de Armas. Joey Morona reports Kearney came on "Weekend Update" to comment about the barrage of anti-LGBTQ bills that have been introduced in state legislatures across the country. Prime rib: Cleveland.com readers flooded our email with endorsements for local eateries that consistently turn out the tenderest, juiciest and most flavorful cut of prime rib in Northeast Ohio. Brenda Cain and Yadi Rodriguez have tallied recommendations and compiled a Top 10 list. RV Rocking: As they approach three years on the road, Jeff and Pattie Kinzbach take some time to reflect on their journey as well as some things they wish they’d done differently. Coming to you this week from Utah’s Monument Valley, the Kinzbachs share five solid tips and other thoughts for your time on the road. |
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Chase leads to crash and fatal shooting of Euclid man on Cleveland’s West Side Read more One dead, three injured in shooting in Cleveland’s Cudell neighborhood; suspect arrested Read more Fight between 2 men ends with deadly stabbing, police say Read more Solon Councilman Bill Russo to step down after 16 years Read more University Heights Councilman Justin Gould announces resignation, will move to North Carolina Read more Strongsville to pay Karvo Cos. $3 million to resurface parts of Howe, Prospect roads Read more Volunteers step up to raise funds for a new dog kennel in Bay Village Read more Avon Lake treasures tree seedling saved from Oklahoma City bombing Read more Parma’s Ward 1 voters to decide May 2 Democratic primary Read more |
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