Jayland Walker autopsy report to be released Friday; Akron curfew under review

The autopsy findings for Jayland Walker, who was shot and killed last month by Akron police, will be made available for media review Friday morning by the Summit County Medical Examiner's Office.

Medical Examiner Lisa Kohler said she will announce a "summary of findings" from the autopsy at 9:30 a.m. in what is described as a closed media event. Media will not receive a copy of the report, the medical examiner's office said in a news release.

'We must reclaim Jayland.': Walker funeral mixes memories, outrage and calls to action

Kohler will answer questions on the autopsy process but will not comment on other parts of the investigation into Walker's death, the news release said.

A Beacon Journal reporter looked at an investigative worksheet at the medical examiner's office in late June. It showed numerous photographs taken of Walker after his death and provided related information.

Walker was observed laying on his back and was in handcuffs when a medical examiner investigator arrived at the shooting scene, the worksheet said.

Walker was shot in the face, abdomen and upper legs, according to the report. A weapon was recovered from his vehicle.

By law, reporters are not allowed to take notes while viewing coroner reports and are not allowed to have copies of the reports.

Officers allowed to remove name badges over threats, bounties

Akron Police Chief Steve Mylett said Thursday he authorized officers to remove their names from their uniforms because of death threats being made against them during protests and demonstrations over Walker's death.

"Every officer is wearing a badge. I authorized them to take their name tag off because of the threats that were made against our officers and the bounties that were placed on officers' heads," Mylett said. "People were getting their names off of their uniform, getting on social media and elsewhere, getting into our Facebook page ... to identify, to get a picture, send that picture, that identification out into the public. In some instances, they got family photographs and put it out on social media. ... If they were asked to give identifying information, I directed them to give their employee number. And if the person was not satisfied with that, a supervisor would be summoned to the scene and deal with the situation."

The city also will continue its 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. downtown curfew, although that policy is under daily review, Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan said.

That information came out of the daily press briefings Horrigan and Mylett are hosting via Zoom.

There was no briefing on Wednesday, when Walker's family held a funeral for him at the Akron Civic Theatre.

Mylett repeated he also will not release the names of the officers who shot at Walker.

"I am not releasing their names. Again, I have been very clear on this," he said. "Our officers have been threatened. Akron's officers have been threatened."

He said he was under the impression that the names would be released at the end of the Bureau of Criminal Investigations investigation, but said he has since been challenged on that assumption.

"We're trying to get a clear direction from the attorney general's office," Mylett said.

He said he fears releasing the names will increase the level of threats and also increase the possibility that someone will act on threats.

"I am going to do everything in my power to make sure that doesn't happen," he said.

Dashcams and bodycams have value, chief says

Mylett said that police car dash cameras have value, as do bodycams. The law firm representing the Walker family on Wednesday asked the city to immediately install dash cameras in police vehicles.

"Certainly we will have further discussions in coming days and weeks," Mylett said.

Horrigan noted that Councilwoman Tara Mosley has proposed legislation calling for dash cameras. He said city officials will be discussing the most effective way to deploy dashcams and how quickly they can be installed.

Mylett said, in response to a reporter's question, that he cannot explain why there have been 12 more use of force incidents involving police this year compared to the same period a year ago.

But he said use of force incidents are "insanely low" when looked at the number of calls police respond to, with about 150,000 contacts, or interactions, with the public in 2021, he said.

"Where force was used, it comes down to less than 1%," Mylett said. "This has been consistent over the last several years. We analyze every use of force when it happens."

The use of body cameras has been a "game changer" when it comes to telling the story of use of force, Mylett said.

Chief: All use-of-force incidents are reviewed

"We look at every single use of force." Mylett said. "We look at the bodycam footage. Officers have to explain why they used the force. And then decisions are made on whether the use of force was within our policies or not. If it was not within our policies, then a disciplinary process will kick in."

Walker was shot and killed by eight Akron police officers June 27 setting off two weeks of demonstrations, including pockets of violence downtown. Horrigan has imposed two downtown curfews since the violence July 3, with the current order restricting people downtown between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.

Horrigan said he continues to extend condolences to the Walker family and noted that Wednesday was a community day of mourning in the city.

"I know the community continues to grieve, and continues to mourn," he said. "Events have been profoundly shocking to a number across the community. I've always said, I think the strength of this community is its people. We'll be able to listen and have those difficult conversations and see part of that real change, of how we all get there."

Additional Jayland Walker coverage

Compounding tragedy: 'It's amazing how many people have been shot in this family.' Family mourns loss of 5

'We must reclaim Jayland.': Walker funeral mixes memories, outrage and calls to action

Tuesday news conference: Jayland Walker funeral Wednesday, day of mourning set; chief not changing policies now

Monday news conference: Justice Department in Akron to aid in conversations on Jayland Walker case; curfew changes

'Jayland should still be here': Former Akron police officer talks about his cousin's death

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Jayland Walker autopsy report to be released; Akron curfew remains