The city of Akron declared a state of emergency on Monday after body-camera footage of a Black man's fatal shooting was released, sparking protests across the city.
After the state of emergency was declared, 50 people were arrested, according to a report from Akron Police spokesperson Lt. Michael Miller. Those arrested on Monday were charged with rioting, failure to disperse, and misconduct during an emergency, Miller shared in his report.
The Akron Police Department shared that a group of "violent" protesters had damaged the area's restaurants, businesses, and residential structures, even after a midnight curfew was implemented. The department also shared that several small fires were set throughout the night.
"Officers deployed a chemical irritant to prevent further rioting and property damage," the report said.
Mayor Daniel Horrigan declared the state of emergency on Monday morning via an executive order that said, "there is credible cause to believe that further threats of violence and unrest exist."
The body-camera footage that sparked the protests involves the fatal shooting of Jayland Walker on June 27. Walker, 25, was fired upon by eight Akron Police after a chase that began as a stop for traffic and equipment violations, police have shared, The Washington Post reported.
Police fired dozens of rounds that killed Walker, and the footage from their cameras shows what happened, including the car chase in which police said Walker had fired a gun and when he was struck and eventually pronounced dead at the scene.
Because of the protests, Sunday night into Monday morning, Fourth of July festivities throughout the city were canceled because of the "significant property damage" to downtown Akron, according to Horrigan's statement.
"Small businesses up and down Main St. have had their windows broken," Horrigan's statement said. "We cannot and will not tolerate the destruction of property or violence."
Still, residents are demanding change and accountability for the death of Walker, but city officials and attorneys for the Walker family are asking that protests be done peacefully.
"If you can do anything for the family, please give peace, give dignity and give justice a chance for Jayland," Bobby DiCello, an attorney for the Walkers, said Sunday.
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