Calls for firings and policy review follow grand jury decision in Akron teenager’s shooting

Dozens of residents and several city council members pressed Akron officials on police accountability and use-of-force policy after a grand jury decision involving the shooting of 15-year-old Jasmine Tucker.

Sharon Aguilera, a local resident, opened public comment saying, “Last year on Thanksgiving, 15 year old Jasmine Tucker was shot in the back twice by Akron police officer Davon Fields,” and accused city leadership of protecting officers rather than addressing root causes of violence. Ashley Green, who identified herself as Jasmine Tucker’s mother, told the council, “This cannot continue to happen… He needs to resign or you guys need to let him go.”

The public outcry continued with Attorney Umokai Okolo, who said the history of police violence against Black people is well documented and urged the council and mayor to “figure out what are we gonna do about it.” Christopher Harden, who said he was a recent victim of use of force, asked for “a true independent oversight board, one that includes community voices,” and for broader de-escalation and compassion training for officers.

Why it matters: speakers framed the issue as both a rule-of-law and public-safety problem, calling for quicker administrative action than the criminal process can provide, while council members and the mayor emphasized that the city must follow its internal procedures.

Mayor Malik said the city expects to complete its internal investigation in “the next 2 to 4 months” and reiterated that the city is conducting a broader use-of-force review that “we're not undertaking ... about any 1 specific incident” but to improve policy and practice. He asked residents and elected officials to continue working together while the investigatory processes run their course.

Several council members urged faster administrative discipline. Councilman Garrett cited the union contract, saying the mayor “has the power to suspend, discipline, or discharge officers for just cause” after process, and pressed the mayor for a timeline. Councilwoman Margo Somerville noted the council previously required body cameras for every Akron police officer and said failure to activate a body camera “is enough to fire Officer Fields.” Councilwoman Davis said, “When I look at his record… Devon Fields needs to go. He needs to be fired.”

Councilman Hannah and others pressed the question, asking what the grand jury had seen or heard that the public could not; several speakers noted apparent delays in rendering medical aid and differing accounts of whether a weapon was visible on the victim. Council members and public speakers also called for investments in prevention: mentorship, housing solutions and mental-health response teams were cited as alternatives to further policing alone.

Discussion vs. decision: the council did not take formal disciplinary action at the meeting. Multiple speakers asked the mayor to terminate or suspend the officer; the mayor said the administration would complete an internal review and continue a separate use-of-force policy review. No formal vote, removal, or binding instruction to the police department was recorded.

Context and next steps: the mayor said the internal investigation will be completed in months and the city will continue a use-of-force review; council members scheduled public safety discussions, including a Ward 1 meeting on Wednesday to discuss recent events and prevention strategies. Several council members said they plan further oversight and meetings with police leadership.

Ending: Advocates said they will continue pressing for accountability and for policy changes that include independent oversight and stronger implementation of body-camera rules. The city’s stated timeline for completing its internal review is 2 to 4 months, and the use-of-force review is ongoing.