Jayland Walker’s funeral took place today, Wednesday, June 13, as Akron, Ohio, observed an official citywide day of mourning for the officer-involved shooting victim, as city officials had declared days earlier.
The Walker family’s legal team announced at a press conference following the funeral that the United Nations has reached out to them for assistance through a task force designed to address racial injustice and inequity in law enforcement.
“We have accepted their invitation to appoint international investigators to explore, as experts, what happened in this case,” Bobby DiCello, who is representing the family, told reporters.
Wednesday’s funeral services began at noon with musical performances. Walker photos flanked singers and speakers in the Akron Civic Theatre.
“Jayland was a kind and gentle soul who loved to make others laugh,” Pastor Marlon Walker said. “A true family man, Jayland cheers the time he spent with his mother, sister, and grandmother. He had a zeal for life and love, traveling with his beloved fiancee. He loved underground music and basketball. He was just beginning to live his life, saving money to become a successful entrepreneur with aspirations of starting a business.”
His family and friends shared some of their favorite memories with him, prompting both laughter and tears from the audience.
“If it wasn’t for you, I probably wouldn’t be where I’m at now,” Jayland Walker’s best friend, Dupri Whatley, said. “Never a dull moment with Jayland. Like, we became brothers, from going to play basketball to being at my house, listening to music.”
Robin Elerick, his cousin, told a story about an interaction between her two sons and Walker. He had wrestled his entire life and was thinking about going pro. As her sons discussed what his wrestling alter ego will be, “He kind of looked up and he said, ‘Nah, I’m gonna be String Bean,'” eliciting laughter from the entire room.
Speakers took the stage to not only commemorate Walker’s life but also to demand accountability for his death.
“One of the things that we cannot do, we must not do, is we must not normalize this,” Bishop Timothy Clarke said. “We cannot make the deaths of our sons and daughters at such an early age the normal thing. We should not be here and Jayland should not be in that box.”
Walker’s sister previously told “Good Morning America” that she remembers her brother as a funny, kind man who cared about his family and had big plans for his future.
“It’s hard to just talk about somebody who you expect to live your life out with,” Jada Walker said. On June 27, Akron Police Department officers fatally shot an unarmed 25-year-old Black man.
Officials stated that they attempted to pull Jayland Walker over for a traffic violation as well as an equipment violation with his car. He allegedly refused to stop, resulting in a chase that ended in his death. A flash of light seen in body camera footage appeared to be the muzzle flash of a gun coming from the driver’s side of Walker’s car, according to officials.
Officers can be heard radioing that they heard a shot fired from Walker’s car in a second body camera video. The officer can be seen following Walker’s Buick off Route 8 and continuing the pursuit on side streets in the video.
At one point, Jayland Walker slowed down and jumped out of the passenger side door before the car came to a complete stop. As Walker ran away from the police, several officers fired multiple bullets at him at the same time, killing him.
According to officials, the officers involved in the shooting are on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation being led by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation. His death sparked weeks of protests throughout the city.
“Tomorrow, Jayland Walker, a beloved son, brother, nephew, and friend will be laid to rest,” Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan said on Tuesday. “I want to thank Akron City Council for passing this resolution declaring tomorrow a day of mourning, in support of Jayland’s family and friends, and to respect them in their time of grief. I know our entire city is also grieving. I offer my sincerest condolences to Jayland’s mom, sister, family, and friends during this difficult time.”
The citywide day of mourning is intended to address the ongoing unrest surrounding Jayland Walker’s death.
“The City encourages robust discussions about difficult topics and supports advocacy to change unjust laws, and supports those who press for meaningful change, by engaging their local, state, and federal legislatures,” the resolution to enact the honorary day reads.
It also calls for peaceful protests and community healing from officials, “The City urges that the friends and family of Jayland Walker, and the entire Akron community, be surrounded with love and peace and that the City would begin to heal.”