The Akron Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #7 released a statement on Sunday following the fatal altercation between officers and 25-year-old Jayland Walker earlier this week.
They revealed that the car Walker had used to avoid police on Monday morning had also been involved in a "felony fleeing police chase" the previous morning.
"This incident is a tragedy for our entire community, including the family of Jayland Walker, as well as all of the officers involved," the statement began, noting that police are cooperating with an independent investigation into the matter.
"On Monday morning, June 27th, officers attempted to stop a motor vehicle driven by Jayland Walker," the FOP continued. "Mr. Walker failed to obey a lawful order to stop and attempted to flee."
"Officers were aware that the same vehicle Mr. Walker was driving that morning was involved in a felony fleeing police chase in Franklin Township the previous morning."
The FOP explained that during the altercation on Monday, Walker had "discharged his weapon while fleeing the police," before leading officers on a chase.
They noted that upon exiting his vehicle, Walker was given the opportunity to cooperate with police, but instead began to run away. As Walker turned around to face officers, he allegedly reached for his waist and raised his arm, leading officers to fire their weapons.
An autopsy revealed that Walker had been shot over sixty times.
"We believe the independent investigation will justify the officers' actions, including the number of shots fired," the FOP wrote, adding that what took place was in accordance with training.
"The Akron FOP acknowledges the pain and suffering of Mr. Walker's family and joins them in calling for peace in our community," the statement concluded. "We are at the beginning stages of this investigation and much work remains. The Akron FOP urges the public to withhold judgment until all the evidence is gathered and the investigation concludes."
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