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Police Shooting Questioned

NNPA NEWSWIRE — “Jayland was a sweet young man. He never caused any trouble,” said Lajuana Walker-Dawkins, Jayland’s aunt and the representative who spoke on behalf of the family Thursday. “We don’t know what happened. And we’d like to know for the mother, the sister, the whole family, and the community.
The post Police Shooting Questioned appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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By Bill Ellis, Jr. | The Akron Reporter

(Akron, OH) – Hundreds of protestors filled Downtown Akron demanding justice for a 25-year-old motorist who was fatally shot by Akron police during a traffic stop/chase.

“Jayland was a sweet young man. He never caused any trouble,” said Lajuana Walker-Dawkins, Jayland’s aunt and the representative who spoke on behalf of the family Thursday. “We don’t know what happened. And we’d like to know for the mother, the sister, the whole family, and the community.

“They (Akron police) want to make him a masked monster with a gun,” said Atty. Bobby DiCello represented the Walker family. “Jaylen was unarmed.”

Jaylen Walker was driving when Akron police attempted to stop him for a traffic violation. He refused to stop leading the police on a frantic chase starting in North Akron, down Route 8 ending in a parking lot in the Firestone Park area. According to police, Walker jumped out of the car attempting to flee. Police alleged that he turned to face them.

Walker was shot in a hail of over 90 bullets from eight officers.

State Rap Emelia Sykes questions the capture tactics of police on young Black men and why it took eight officers to bring down on unarmed man with over 90 bullets.” (Reporter photo)

State Rap Emelia Sykes questions the capture tactics of police on young Black men and why it took eight officers to bring down on unarmed man with over 90 bullets.” (Reporter photo)

Chief Steve Mylett explained that he, “Doesn’t know the number of rounds fired. The Bureau Criminal Investigation (BCI) will discover the evidence. However, I anticipate that number to be higher. Medical examiners are looking to determine entrance and exit wounds.”

“There was a gun recovered in Mr. Walker’s vehicle,” said Chief Mylett. “But, at the time of the shooting, he (Walker) was unarmed.”

“After the shooting, officers went to Mr. Walker and provided first aid to save his life. One officer on voice cam video can be heard saying “he has a pulse.”

Rev. Roderick Pounds of Second Baptist Church pleads for peace/justice. (Reporter photo)

Rev. Roderick Pounds of Second Baptist Church pleads for peace/justice. (Reporter photo)

Akron Fire Medics arrived to take over aid but unfortunately Walker tragically passed away at the scene.”

Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan and Akron Police Chief Steve Mylett released a 7-minute police body cam video of the incident during a Sunday press conference.

Protestors, during rallies in front of City Hall and the Stubbs Justice Center, criticized the shooting as overkill, calling for transparency and justice for the Walker family. Rep Emelia Sykes expressed Black community concerns when she questioned, “the capture tactics of police on young Black men and why it took eight officers to bring down on unarmed man with over 90 bullets.”

The Akron NAACP and other concerned organizations led a crowd of a few hundred protesters peacefully walking to the City Hall/ Akron Police Department on Sunday, July 3rd. Representatives from the Freedom BLOC, Ohio ACLU, Faith community, and Black Elected Officials of Summit County expressed their concerns about the horrific shooting of an unarmed Black man.

Protestors express outrage about the killing of Jayland Walker- An unarmed moterst shot on Monday, June 26, 2022. (Reporter photo)

Protestors express outrage about the killing of Jayland Walker- An unarmed moterst shot on Monday, June 26, 2022. (Reporter photo)

Following the peaceful rally, some unknown angry protestors set a trash dumpster on fire, damaged some buildings, and spray-painted graffiti. Akron police arrested 50 vandals on several charges on Sunday night. Protestors, attempting to deliver petitions to Mayor Horrigan’s home, were turned away on July 4th.

Judi Hill, Akron NAACP president, joined other leaders requesting that any protest be peaceful. Akron Deputy Mayor Marco Sommerville said, “I know that you are angry and frankly you have the right to protest, but as the family requests, do it in a peaceful manner.”

With an abundance of caution, Mayor Horrigan cancelled the annual Fourth of July Downtown Rib Burn-off and all city sponsored holiday fireworks. On Monday, he established a 9 pm to 6 am curfew in downtown Akron until Tuesday, July 5th.

Who is Jayland Walker?

A pastor and family members of Walker said that he was a good person. A graduate of Akron Buchtel High School, Jayland was a wrestling champion, ran cross country, and played on the Summit County All-Star baseball team from Buchtel’s baseball team. He worked for Amazon, and Door Dash.

Robert DeJournett, pastor at St. Ashworth Temple in Akron, told News 5 that, “The family is still trying to wrap their arms around this. He was not that kid “Jayland didn’t even have a parking ticket,” said Drjournett. “Jayland had the biggest soul.”

Bodycam Videos Leads to More Questions

Protesters demand Justice for the Jayland Walker Family during a peaceful rally in Downtown Akron, Ohio. Reporter photo/Veronica Sims.

Protesters demand Justice for the Jayland Walker Family during a peaceful rally in Downtown Akron, Ohio. Reporter photo/Veronica Sims.

Sunday’s press conference, which showed the fatal incident, left many questions. Concerned citizen were surprised by the city’s quick display of the incident to show citizens what police were facing. The eight unidentified officers have been put on administrative leave pending the investigation.

“We want to reassure our citizens that more information will be coming,” said Chief Mylett who noted that, “this is a sad day for Akron. When an officer makes the most critical decision in his or her life as a police officer, to fire his service weapon at another human being, they have to be ready to explain why they did what they did.”

“They need to be able to articulate what specific threats they are facing,” Mylett said. “And that goes for every round that goes down the barrel of their gun. And they need to be held to account.”

Akron Mayor Daniel Horrigan expressed his condolences to the family of Jaylen Walker. “I know that there is no amount of prayer that will bring Jaylen back,” he said, “but please know that the city mourns with you.”

Deputy Mayor Sommerville and Chief Mylett promised a thorough investigation by Ohio State Atty Gen. Yost and the Bureau of Criminal investigation. All officers are on administrative leave pending the BCI report.

“The footage is shocking,” said Sommerille, who went on to explain, “from here what we need to do is look at our process to get us to the next step and independent investigation to that level will further that process. Now that we have a new police chief working, the mayor has asked for outside help in investigating this case. This is Huge.” This move to have an outside entity assures that it will be the fairest most unbiased view of the fact, and that’s the right decision at the right time,” Sommerville said.

Despite promises of transparency, many in the Black community are angry about police pursuits and the number of shots fired by police.

Out of the 90 bullets fired, Walker was hit by over 60 bullets, according the Summit County Medical Examiners.

“It doesn’t take eight officers to stop a motorist. Was it necessary for them to fire 90 shots at Walker? Who will be held accountable for his death – which some call a senseless murder?

Memorial posters were carried at Peace Rally.

Memorial posters were carried at Peace Rally.

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Federal Raids Target Migrant Kids, Split Families

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — The Trump administration has reportedly removed at least 500 migrant children from their homes across the United States and placed them into government custody, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter.

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By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

The Trump administration has reportedly removed at least 500 migrant children from their homes across the United States and placed them into government custody, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter. The children, many of whom were living with family members or other vetted sponsors, were taken during so-called “welfare checks” carried out by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other federal agencies. According to CNN, the operations are part of a larger campaign launched shortly after President Donald Trump returned to office, with federal authorities setting up a “war room” inside the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to review data on children who entered the country alone and were later released to sponsors. Officials have used the room to coordinate efforts between agencies, including ICE and the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), which oversees the custody of unaccompanied migrant children.

Trump officials claim the effort is aimed at protecting children placed in unsafe conditions or with unqualified sponsors, pointing to cases where children were released to individuals with criminal backgrounds or those involved in smuggling. Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said the welfare checks have led to the arrests of some sponsors and the transfer of children into ORR custody. Federal data shows more than 2,500 children are currently in ORR custody. CNN reported that the average stay has grown significantly, from 67 days in December 2024 to 170 days by April 2025. Former Health and Human Services officials say new vetting rules—including income requirements, government-issued ID, and DNA tests—have made it far more difficult for parents and guardians, particularly those who are undocumented, to reclaim their children.

In some cases, reunifications that had already been scheduled were canceled. A recent lawsuit details how two brothers, ages 7 and 14, remain in government care because their mother cannot meet new documentation requirements under the revised policies. Mark Greenberg, a former senior HHS official, stated that the approach puts children in a difficult situation. “To the extent, the goal is to determine whether children are in danger or in need of help, this isn’t a good way to do that because it creates fear that anything they say could be used against their parent or family member,” he said. Immigration enforcement agents reportedly have visited children’s homes and asked about their journey to the U.S., school attendance, and upcoming immigration court appearances. Legal advocates say these visits, which sometimes include the FBI, are not standard child welfare procedures and can create fear and confusion among minors.

An FBI spokesperson confirmed the agency’s role, saying, “Protecting children is a critical mission for the FBI, and we will continue to work with our federal, state, and local partners to secure their safety and well-being.” Multiple outlets noted that the Trump administration has not provided clear evidence that large numbers of children are missing. Instead, it has referenced a Department of Homeland Security inspector general report from 2023 that noted more than 291,000 unaccompanied minors had not received notices to appear in immigration court. Former officials note that these figures do not necessarily indicate that the children are missing; some lacked updated addresses or were affected by administrative backlogs.

Within HHS, officials were instructed to expedite policy changes. Former ORR Ombudsman Mary Giovagnoli stated that a senior ICE official, Melissa Harper, was temporarily appointed to lead ORR. Her short tenure was followed by Angie Salazar, another former ICE official who now frequently communicates with White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller. Trump’s team argues the Biden administration allowed thousands of unaccompanied children to enter the country without sufficient oversight. Jen Smyers, a former ORR deputy director, stated that all sponsors underwent thorough vetting, including Department of Justice background checks and reviews of the sex offender registry. “No amount of vetting is a predictor of the future,” she said. The Miami Herald recently reported that a 17-year-old foster child in Florida was removed from his home in shackles and transferred to ICE custody. The boy and his mother had crossed the border without documentation, but he had been living in a state-supervised foster placement. The case raised concerns about the state’s cooperation with federal enforcement and the message it sends to immigrant families. Concerns about federal custody of vulnerable children are not confined to immigration.

In North Carolina, a 7-month-old baby died after being left in a hot minivan by her foster mother, who now faces charges of negligent child abuse and involuntary manslaughter. In Hawaii, dozens of children have been forced to sleep in government offices and hotels due to a shortage of foster placements. In North Dakota, a foster couple has been charged in the death of a 3-year-old after surveillance footage showed the child being repeatedly assaulted. “These cases show what happens when systems meant to protect children fail them,” said Laura Nally, director of the Amica Center for Immigrant Rights Children’s Program. “There’s a growing concern that these welfare checks are being used to carry out mass detentions of sponsors and unnecessarily return children to government custody.”

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Protests of a Costly and Historic Parade

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — President Trump is planning an elaborate and costly celebration for the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army that coincides with his birthday.

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By April Ryan

It will rain on President Trump‘s parade on Saturday if most weather forecasts correctly predict the chance of storms. President Trump is planning an elaborate and costly celebration for the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army that coincides with his birthday. When asked if he plans to attend the massive D.C. celebration, New York Democratic Congressman Greg Meeks exclaimed,” Heck no!” He elaborated, saying, “It is clear to me that what Donald J. Trump is trying to do is to emulate Vladimir Putin.” Trump and Putin, the Russian president, are friends. Meeks feels “that’s where he initially got the idea from when he saw the tanks going down the street and how people bow down to Vladimir Putin, how…that authoritarian runs his country where no one questions what he does.”

Meanwhile, around the nation 1600 protests are scheduled to coincide with what is happening in Washington, D.C. Democratic Congressman Al Greene confirms he will attend several “No King Day” protest rallies and marches in his home state of Texas. The congressman questions the president’s comments about using “force” for anyone trying to stop the parade. Reverand William Barber plans to be in Philadelphia on Saturday. “We are having a rally bringing people together,” the civil rights leader confirmed. The leader of Repairers of the Breach added, “Those rallies are gonna be massive and multiracial of every race, color, creed, religion, geographic area, so this is not a moment. We must have a constant movement.”

Weeks ago, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser warned the parade, and all its military might, and pageantry would cost “many millions of dollars” just to repair District streets after the heavy artillery tanks rolled down the historic roads in the nation’s capital. Tall gates and other barricades around the White House are part of the parade’s security measures. The Secret Service has warned of a high-security presence in the area for the parade. You can expect to see military tanks, dozens of other military vehicles, and thousands of service members marching along a route stretching nearly four miles from the Pentagon to the White House.

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Critics Question 2024 Results as Musk Tactics Surface

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — Now, a Wisconsin nonprofit has filed a legal complaint accusing Musk, his America PAC, and a Musk-affiliated group called United States of America Inc. of violating state election laws by bribing voters.

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By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

Donald Trump’s return to the White House in 2024 has reignited questions about election integrity, particularly after his remarks thanking Elon Musk for what he called a “landslide” win in Pennsylvania. “He knows those computers better than anybody… all those vote-counting computers,” Trump said. “So, thank you to Elon.” The comment set off alarm, including Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett. “So, Trump is rambling on about he and Elon rigging the election?! Am I missing something or is he confessing to yet another damn crime?!” she posted on social media.

Now, a Wisconsin nonprofit has filed a legal complaint accusing Musk, his America PAC, and a Musk-affiliated group called United States of America Inc. of violating state election laws by bribing voters. The Wisconsin Democracy Campaign and two voters allege Musk handed out $1 million checks and that his PAC paid $100 to registered voters who signed petitions and gave their contact information. Wisconsin law prohibits offering anything of value over $1 to encourage someone to vote. The complaint also cites violations of the state’s lottery ban. The plaintiffs are asking a court to declare the actions illegal, prevent future violations, and award damages if applicable.

The lawsuit follows a failed attempt by Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul to block Musk’s actions earlier this year. Kaul argued that Musk’s conduct amounted to illegal inducement, but courts declined to intervene before the April state Supreme Court election. Jeff Mandell, president and general counsel for Law Forward, which represents the plaintiffs, said this new case is being filed under more typical legal timelines. “We’re trying to create … accountability in a more regular timeline, in a way that gives the courts the opportunity to look at this more carefully,” Mandell said.

Musk, who served briefly as a Trump adviser and led a short-lived federal agency focused on cost-cutting, has denied wrongdoing. He initially promoted the giveaways as rewards for early voters but later revised eligibility criteria following legal scrutiny. The controversy has added fuel to growing concerns over anomalies in places like Rockland County, New York, where Vice President Kamala Harris reportedly received virtually no votes despite Democratic victories in other races. “We know exactly what happened and how it unfolded, and we’re asking the court to say this is not acceptable,” Mandel has said.

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