The family of Jayland Walker settled its high-profile lawsuit against the City of Akron, which will pay out $4.85 million over the next four years.
Walker was shot dozens of times by Akron police officers and killed after a car chase and brief foot pursuit in 2022. Police fired a total of 94 rounds.
The figure was announced on Monday morning with a joint statement from the two sides that emphasized Akron Mayor Shammas Malik “has prioritized ongoing dialogue and engagement between city leaders and the community, including the Walker family, to examine policies and procedures and make improvements where needed for the safety of all residents. In fact, Mayor Malik and the Akron Police Department have already updated the city’s vehicle pursuit policy as a result of this ongoing review.”
The city and police announced earlier this year that Akron police officers can no longer engage in car chases for equipment violations alone.
The Walker family’s lawsuit initially sought at least $45 million representing “$1 million for each bullet that struck Jayland Walker,” the June 2023 complaint states.
“There’s more to the settlement than money,” said Walker family attorney Bobby DiCello of the DiCello Levitt law firm. “The family accomplished meaningful policy changes with its litigation efforts. And those changes will make everyone in Akron safer. We will be setting a press conference at the appropriate time to discuss the settlement and the family’s thoughts about it. We are focused now on letting the court process wrap up.”
A settlement had been in the works for months: DiCello hinted at a successful outcome at a June memorial event for Walker and in an August court filing, indicating a resolution was close.
“In seeking to settle this claim, and upon the best recommendation of the City Law Department, the city has agreed to pay the Walker Family $4,850,000 in a series of four installments over the next four years,” Monday’s joint announcement states.
Signal Akron confirmed with the mayor’s office and the DiCello Levitt firm that the $4.85 million settlement includes attorneys fees and any other costs to settle the lawsuit. It is unclear how much will go to the law firm and how much will go to the Walker family.