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Akron in state of emergency after chaotic protests over Jayland Walker cop shooting video

Akron officials declared a state of emergency Monday after chaotic protests broke out in the city over the fatal police shooting of an unarmed black man — as protesters massed outside Mayor Dan Horrigan’s home chanting “defund the police.”

Mayor Dan Horrigan issued the emergency declaration first thing in the morning after protests over the shooting death of 25-year-old DoorDash deliveryman Jayland Walker descended into chaos in the Ohio city overnight. A citywide curfew was being put in place, and the city’s Fourth of July fireworks were canceled.

The mayor said the curfew applied to the downtown Akron area and would be in effect from 9 p.m. Monday until 6 a.m. Tuesday.

“Early yesterday, we had several peaceful protests in the downtown footprint related to the officer-involved shooting of Jayland Walker. These protests did not escalate to violence and destruction,” Horrigan said in a statement.

“However, as night fell and others began to join, the protests became no longer peaceful. There was significant property damage done to downtown Akron. Small businesses up and down Main Street have had their windows broken. We cannot and will not tolerate violence or the destruction of property.”

Horrigan added, “In light of the damage that has occurred and in order to preserve peace in our community, I have declared a state of emergency, implemented a curfew and canceled the fireworks which were scheduled for tonight.”

The mayor applied a curfew to downtown Akron, in effect from 9 p.m. Monday until 6 a.m. Tuesday. Reuters/Gaelen Morse

Nearly 100 protesters gathered outside Horrigan’s residence and were met by cops in riot gear Monday.

The protesters left a written list of demands, according to NBC News.

Participants chanted and demanded that the eight officers who shot Walker be fired immediately.

The protest turned violent at night, leaving storefronts damaged. AFP via Getty Images/ Matthew Hatcher
Video footage of an Akron police officer running towards Jayland Walker’s car. Reuters

Widespread demonstrations had been held in Akron since the June 27 police shooting of Walker, but they intensified Sunday after cops released bodycam footage of the fatal ordeal.

Walker was unarmed when Akron police started pursuing him on foot and firing upon him after an attempted traffic stop, authorities revealed at a Sunday news conference.

The eight officers involved had believed Walker shot at them earlier from a vehicle and feared he was preparing to fire again, authorities added.

It isn’t clear how many shots were fired by the officers, but Walker sustained more than 60 bullet wounds, police said.

The bodycam footage showed Walker, who was wearing a black ski mask, exiting the passenger door of the vehicle and running toward a parking lot.

Protests over the shooting death of 25-year-old Jayland Walker. AFP via Getty Images/ Matthew Hatcher
Troopers in watch as demonstrators gather outside Akron City Hall to protest. AFP via Getty Images/ Matthew Hatcher

Police were chasing him for about 10 seconds before the barrage of gunfire broke out, the video showed.

At least one officer had first tried to use a stun gun, but it didn’t work, police said.

Akron Police Chief Steve Mylett said Walker’s actions were hard to distinguish in real time on the footage, but a still photo appeared to show him “going down to his waist area” during the pursuit.

A lawyer for the victim’s family claimed officers kept firing even after he was on the ground.

The bodycam footage doesn’t show what happened after police started firing.

Walker was pronounced dead at the scene.

The officers involved have all been placed on paid administrative leave.