Seven people were arrested by Akron Police during Wednesday night’s protest.
The protests in response to the police shooting death of Jayland Walker started around noon Wednesday and remained peaceful until about 8:30 when police attempted to get protesters to disburse who were in front of the Harold Stubbs Justice Center (police station).
According to Akron Police, some of the protesters began to block and disrupt the flow of traffic on High Street.
APD said that officers gave multiple orders to protesters to move out of the street, but members in the group failed to comply with the orders. That’s when officers arrested Jacob Blake Sr, 55, and a 37-year-old man and charged them with Rioting, Disorderly Conduct, Failure to Disperse, and Resisting Arrest.
In a video captured by another protester, an officer can be seen repeatedly punching the 37-year-old protester who was handcuffed at the time. Blake Sr. was transported to Cleveland Clinic Akron General for a medical evaluation.
Officers deployed teargas on protesters during the incident.
A large group of protesters moved to Akron General Hospital in support of the hospitalized protester. The hospital was temporarily placed on a soft lockdown.
Bianca Austin, the aunt of Breonna Taylor, was also arrested while standing outside of the Summit County Jail waiting for someone to be bailed out.
In total, seven people were arrested Wednesday night.
Jayland Walker was shot at least 60 times by Akron Police while running away from them on foot.
Responding officers alleged Walker fired a firearm from his vehicle during a vehicle chase before a foot pursuit ensued.