Residents urge police accountability after fatal encounter; callers demand answers

During the public comment period at an Akron City Council meeting, residents called for accountability from the Akron Police Department following a fatal encounter involving a person identified as Jasmine.

Resident Lucy Harris asked a series of questions about the incident: “Did Jasmine even know he was being pursued by police?” Harris also asked whether an officer identified themselves, whether body-worn cameras were activated, and whether squad lights were used. Harris said information had been withheld from a grieving mother and criticized the department’s conduct and the use of paid administrative leave: “The officer now has all the time in the world to sit on paid leave just like every other officer involved in this tragic farce,” she said.

Another resident, who identified herself as Lillian, echoed calls for justice and said the community has “been waiting for justice way too long” in response to multiple incidents affecting Black residents and children. Council staff invited residents to follow up with councilmembers after the meeting to coordinate next steps; the public comment period ended with the council noting it would follow up where appropriate.

No council motion, directive or formal investigation was recorded on the transcript during the public comment period. The transcript records concerns and questions raised by residents but does not include any sworn law-enforcement response, details of an internal investigation, or a timeline for agency disclosures.