In the wake of a police shooting that resulted in the death of 15-year-old Jazmir Tucker on Thanksgiving, Akron Mayor Shammas Malik has reported threats made against Akron Police Department officers. In a public statement on social media, Mayor Malik described these threats as "unacceptable behavior" and vowed to take them seriously. He said via Cleveland19 News, "No one deserves to have threats made against them."
According to Cleveland19, the threats are both against specific officers involved in a shooting and the entire police department. These declarations of potentially harmful intentions come in the aftermath of an incident where patrol officers responded to gunshots, and bodycam footage purportedly shows an officer firing at Tucker, though the number of bullets that struck the teen is yet unknown. Mayor Malik emphasized the city's dual responsibilities: transparency and employee safety.
The FOX8 revealed that the Akron Police Department President, Brian Lucey, confirmed receiving "veiled threats" on Facebook where individuals warned "let us find out and officers will pay" with ominous symbols and even some users allegedly posting pictures of addresses and homes. Mayor Malik reiterated that any threats deemed criminal conduct would be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted.
Further, the mayor's office has announced it will work with the law firm Paul, Weiss, and 21 CP Solutions to review the Akron Police Department's use-of-force policy extensively. Former U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch will spearhead this initiative and will require approximately five to six months. "I believe this comprehensive review is the most consequential step we can take as a city in improving our policy, practices and culture around use of force and how our department engages with residents," Mayor Malik said in a press release, as reported by WKYC.
On the night of the shooting, at around 11:01 p.m., police had been parked in their cruiser when they heard nearby gunshots, leading to the fatal encounter with Jazmir, who reportedly had a loaded firearm. In the scrutiny that followed, Mayor Malik has stressed that the officers' response and the circumstances of the shooting are still under investigation by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation. The officers involved have been placed on paid administrative leave as per department protocol. The city has not yet released the names of the officers involved in Tucker's shooting or the previously reported killing of 23-year-old Jayland Walker by Akron police.
