AKRON, Ohio (AP) — A Black man shot and killed by Akron law enforcement officials in a hail of bullets following a car and foot pursuit was unarmed on the time of the taking pictures, however a shot appeared to have come from the car throughout the pursuit, and officers mentioned they feared he was getting ready to fireside after they discharged their weapons, authorities mentioned.

Police on Sunday launched video the mayor referred to as “heartbreaking” of the pursuit and taking pictures of Jayland Walker, 25, whereas pleading for peace and endurance from the neighborhood whereas the state investigation into the taking pictures continues. It was not but clear what number of pictures had been fired, however Walker sustained greater than 60 wounds. An lawyer for Walker’s household mentioned he was on the bottom whereas officers continued to fireside.

Chief Steve Mylett mentioned officers tried to cease Walker’s automobile early Monday for unspecified visitors and tools violations, however lower than a minute right into a pursuit the sound of a shot was heard from the automobile and a transportation division digicam captured what gave the impression to be a muzzle flash coming from the car. Mylett mentioned that modified the character of the case from “a routine visitors cease to now a public security situation.”

Police mentioned a couple of minutes later the automobile slowed and Walker emerged from the still-moving car sporting a ski masks and fled on foot. A handgun, a loaded journal and a marriage ring had been discovered on the seat and a casing in keeping with the weapon was later discovered on the level the place officers believed a shot got here from the car.

After an unsuccessful try to make use of stun gadgets, the foot chase continued to a parking zone, at which level a crescendo of bullets will be heard. Mylett mentioned he has watched the video dozens of occasions and Walker’s actions on the time are arduous to tell apart, however a nonetheless picture appears to point out him “happening to his waist space” and one other seems to point out him turning in direction of an officer and a 3rd image “captures a ahead movement of his arm.”

After the taking pictures, the officers who fired had been stored aside from one another and watched, and arriving investigators walked them individually by means of the scene, Myett mentioned.

“Every officer unbiased of one another associated that they felt that Mr. Walker had turned and was motioning and shifting right into a firing place,” he mentioned.

Mylett mentioned an officer firing at somebody needs to be “prepared to clarify why they did what they did, they want to have the ability to articulate what particular threats they had been going through … and so they must be held to account.” However he mentioned he’s withholding judgment on their actions till they offer their statements, and he mentioned the union president has informed him that every one are “totally cooperating” with the investigation.

Police mentioned greater than 60 wounds had been discovered on the physique however extra investigation will probably be wanted to find out precisely what number of rounds the eight officers fired and what number of occasions Walker was hit. Officers offered support, and one will be heard saying he nonetheless had a pulse, however he was pronounced lifeless on the scene, Mylett mentioned.

Ohio Lawyer Basic Dave Yost vowed a “full, truthful and skilled investigation” and cautioned that “body-worn digicam footage is only one view of the entire image – earlier than drawing conclusions, the complete assessment should happen.”

The officers concerned within the taking pictures have been positioned on paid administrative go away, which is commonplace observe in such instances.

Walker’s household is looking for accountability but in addition for peace, their attorneys mentioned after the town launched the video of the taking pictures. One of many attorneys, Bobby DiCello, mentioned police handcuffed him earlier than attempting to supply first support.

“The way it obtained to this with a pursuit is past me,” DiCello mentioned, including that Walker’s household doesn’t know why he fled from police. Walker was grieving the latest loss of life of his fiancee, however his household had no indication of concern past that, DiCello mentioned.

“He was unhappy, however he was getting by means of it,” DiCello mentioned. He mentioned he doesn’t know whether or not the ring discovered close to the gun belonged to Walker.