Rep. Brewer Issues Statement on Special Grand Jury Decision in Jayland Walker Case

COLUMBUS- State Rep. Darnell T. Brewer (D- Cleveland) released the following statement today after the grand jury declined Monday to indict any of the eight Akron police officers who fatally shot Jayland Walker in June of 2022:

“Until we seriously examine the issue of policing, police brutality, and racism, things will not change in Ohio. Particularly in regards to dangerous traffic stops. The death of Jayland Walker was preventable and should never have happened. He now joins the names of countless others, including Clevelander’s Timothy Williams and Malissa Russell, who were shot a combined 137 times by police officers, all because of a traffic stop,” said Rep. Brewer. “I’ve learned early in life that if you want something, you better make some noise. It’s time for Ohioans to make their voices heard to find a better understanding of this tragedy and how we can work together to make sure this tragedy never happens in another community.”

The grand jury’s decision is not the end of Walker’s case. The “no bill” decision simply means that the officers involved will not face criminal charges from the state. The Akron Police Department is currently conducting an internal investigation on the shooting to determine whether the officers’ actions violated internal policies and procedures.