Settlements have been reached in two lawsuits against the City of Akron over police misconduct, one alleging state law violations in the April 2024 non-fatal shooting of 15-year-old Tavion Koonce-Williams, and one alleging federal constitutional violations over the January 2024 body slamming of a woman named Dierra Fields.
The terms of each settlement have not yet been disclosed. Akron Attorney Imokhai Okolo represents the plaintiffs in both cases.
Signal Akron reported in April 2024 that Officer Thomas Shoemaker body slammed and arrested Fields in her Kenmore home earlier that year. An internal investigation cleared the officer of any wrongdoing.
According to the federal court docket, the City of Akron and Fields reached a settlement after a six-hour mediation conference on Thursday. The lawsuit was filed in January.
Signal Akron previously:
- Broke the news about the body slamming incident and the woman’s arrest last year.
- Reported on Independent Police Auditor Anthony Finnell’s first challenge of the APD and the blowback Akron Mayor Shammas Malik faced when he backed his department, which approved of the force.
- Attended her criminal trial, where she was acquitted of resisting arrest and obstructing official business.
Koonce-Williams shot while carrying toy gun in Goodyear Heights
Koonce-Williams, 15, was shot in the wrist April 1, 2024, by an Akron police officer and was charged with having a “facsimile firearm,” a first-degree misdemeanor.
Officer Ryan Westlake shot Koonce-Williams from inside his patrol car seconds after approaching the teenager. Earlier, a 911 caller had reported seeing the young man waving a gun around in a Goodyear Heights neighborhood. The gun, it turned out, was a toy.
According to the docket in the Summit County Court of Common Pleas, the City of Akron and Koonce-Williams’ mother reached a settlement after a mediation conference on Nov. 20. Because Koonce-Williams is a minor, the settlement needs to be approved by the probate court.
SIgnal Akron previously:
- Reported on the shooting by former Officer Ryan Westlake, who fired on the teenager, striking his hand.
- Reported on the criminal charges filed, and later dropped, against the teen for carrying the fake gun.
Documented Westlake’s firing from the APD for separate use-of-force incidents.