The family and friends of Jazmir Tucker gathered downtown to commemorate what would have been the teenager’s 16th birthday.

Tucker was shot and killed in front of Miller South School of Performing Arts on Thanksgiving evening by Akron Police Officer Davon Fields.

A flyer distributed by the event’s organizers lamented the fact Tucker could no longer celebrate birthdays with his twin brother, Amir.

Red carnations dropped on ground in downtown Akron were intended to signify the “blood on the City of [Akron’s] hands.”

Family and friends of Jazmir Tucker
Family and friends of Jazmir Tucker, including his twin brother, Amir, at center, gather in front of the Harold K. Stubbs Justice Center in downtown Akron on what would have been the teen’s 16th birthday. Tucker was killed by an Akron police officer on Thanksgiving evening. (Michael Francis McElroy / Signal Akron)
Jessica Riddle hands out flowers
Jessica Riddle hands out flowers near the Akron Municipal Building before a remembrance for 15 year old Jazmir Tucker, who was killed by an Akron police officer on Thanksgiving evening. (Michael Francis McElroy / Signal Akron)
Carnations and roses with messages attached
Carnations and roses with messages attached were laid on the doorstep of the Harold K. Stubbs Justice Center in downtown Akron in remembrance of Jazmir Tucker, who would have celebrated his 16th birthday today. Tucker was killed by an Akron police officer on Thanksgiving evening. (Michael Francis McElroy / Signal Akron)
A bouquet of carnations is held up.
A bouquet of carnations is held up in front of the Harold K. Stubbs Justice Center in downtown Akron. Family and friends of Jazmir Tucker gathered on what would have been his 16th birthday. Tucker was killed by an Akron police officer on Thanksgiving evening. (Michael Francis McElroy / Signal Akron)
Family and friends of Jazmir Tucker gathered n front of the Harold K. Stubbs Justice Center
Family and friends of Jazmir Tucker gathered n front of the Harold K. Stubbs Justice Center in downtown Akron in remembrance of the teen on what would have been his 16th birthday. Tucker was killed by an Akron police officer on Thanksgiving evening. (Michael Francis McElroy / Signal Akron)
Kielle Green, left, Jazmir Tucker's aunt, is comforted by a friend
Kielle Green, left, Jazmir Tucker’s aunt, is comforted by a friend during a remembrance in front of the Harold K. Stubbs Justice Center in downtown Akron. Family and friends of the teen gathered in remembrance of him on what would have been his 16th birthday. Tucker was killed by an Akron police officer on Thanksgiving evening. (Michael Francis McElroy / Signal Akron)
Carnations and roses with messages attached
Carnations and roses with messages attached were laid on the doorstep of the Harold K. Stubbs Justice Center in downtown Akron in remembrance of Jazmir Tucker, who would have celebrated his 16th birthday today. Tucker was killed by an Akron police officer on Thanksgiving evening. (Michael Francis McElroy / Signal Akron)
Family and friends release balloons at Greenlawn Cemetery.
Family and friends release balloons as they gather at the gravesite of Jazmir Tucker at Greenlawn Cemetery on Romig Road in remembrance of the teen on what would have been his 16th birthday. Tucker was killed by an Akron police officer on Thanksgiving evening. (Michael Francis McElroy / Signal Akron)
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Editor-in-Chief (she/her)
Zake has deep roots in Northeast Ohio journalism. She was the managing editor for multimedia and special projects at the Akron Beacon Journal, where she began work as a staff photographer in 1986. Over a 20-year career, Zake worked in a variety of roles across departments that all help inform her current role as Signal Akron's editor in chief. Most recently, she was a journalism professor and student media adviser at Kent State University, where she worked with the next generation of journalists to understand public policy, environmental reporting, data and solutions reporting. Among her accomplishments was the launch of the Kent State NewsLab, an experiential and collaborative news commons that connects student reporters with outside professional partners.