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Published on January 15, 2025
Summit County Medical Examiner to Release Autopsy Findings of Teen Fatally Shot by Akron PoliceSource: Akron Police Department

Dr. Lisa Kohler, Summit County Medical Examiner, is expected to release findings from the autopsy of the 15-year-old Jazmir Tucker, who was shot and killed by an Akron police officer on Thanksgiving night. The announcement, scheduled for 9 a.m. today, will address the autopsy report results while refraining from commenting on the ongoing investigation, which is being handled by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI). WKYC reports that the press conference will be live-streamed in their news story.

On the night of the fatal shooting, two police officers heard gunshots while parked in a cruiser, and upon investigating, one officer, who has been with the department for nearly five years, shot Tucker. According to WOIO's coverage, the officers did not provide aid to Tucker for eight minutes following the shooting. The incident has led to both officers being placed on administrative leave per the standard departmental policy.

After the initial release of police body camera footage, Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan made a statement acknowledging the gravity of the situation and the necessity of scrutiny in the use of deadly force by police officers, especially involving someone so young. "To lose someone in an officer involved shooting is truly heartbreaking – especially someone so young," the Mayor stated according to WKYC.

The gun recovered from Tucker has been linked to two shell casings found at the scene through the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN). WOIO reports that these were found in the northeast portion of Miller South. Opposite to this evidence, Jazmir Tucker's family's attorney remarked on the relevance of the weapon found, stressing that the possession was not apparent to officers before the shooting. "These officers had no idea he had a weapon on him based on where they found it," attorney Robert Gresham said in a statement shared during a press conference.

Completing the BCI investigation will precede the review by the Ohio Attorney General's Office and subsequent presentation to a Summit County Grand Jury to determine whether criminal charges should be filed. Only after these legal proceedings will the full findings become accessible to the public. News 5 Cleveland reports that the officers involved in the shooting are currently on leave as the investigation continues. Mayor Horrigan has signaled an upcoming review of the city's use of force policy and has expressed his commitment to transparency and actionable response in light of community concern.