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Akron Police Release Bodycam Footage of Michael Jones Shooting

A body-worn camera and surveillance footage captured the moment an Akron police officer shot and killed Michael D. Jones early in the morning of August 17.

The city of Akron released the footage Saturday afternoon, a week after the fatal incident.

Shortly before the incident, just after 1 a.m., two Akron police officers parked behind a U-Haul truck parked at a gas pump at a gas station in the 220 block of East Avenue in Kenmore.

Just as an officer approached the truck, it began to drive off before the officer knocked on the driver's door. The U-Haul stopped and the officer opened the door.

Both officers' body camera footage showed Jones in the driver's seat wearing a seatbelt and a medical mask.

After an officer is heard ordering Jones to exit the vehicle, Jones is seen unbuckling his seatbelt.

“Come out of the car,” the officer demanded a second time.

“What's going on?” Jones can be heard asking the two officers. “What's going on?”

“Please listen. You are under arrest. Get out of the car,” an officer said.

Jones then asked why he was arrested.

The verbal altercation, which lasted about 10 seconds, ended, according to body-worn camera footage, when one officer lunged at Jones, who was still sitting in the U-Haul. Then the second officer grabbed Jones.

Surveillance footage from the gas station showed the vehicle continuing to drive as both officers continued to grapple with Jones while hanging out the driver's side door. The vehicle turned right onto East Avenue and moved into the right lane while a horn sounded in the background.

Two gunshots can be heard in both body-worn camera videos. The struggle ends with Jones slumped face down on the seat.

Officers pulled Jones from the vehicle, placed him on the ground and handcuffed him before one of the officers ran to the patrol car to get a first aid kit.

Sirens can be heard in the background as one of the officers pats down Jones, who is lying on the ground. The officer pulls out a revolver-like handgun and says it is “fully loaded.”

Investigations are ongoing

Akron police issued a press release along with the body camera and surveillance footage.

Two 911 calls were made immediately after the shooting. One caller told 911 dispatch that Jones was shot while handcuffed, a statement that police say does not match body camera footage.

“He was not handcuffed at the time,” police said.

The officer who fired the shots has been with the Akron Police Department for two and a half years. He has been placed on paid administrative leave and his identity has not been determined.

The state Bureau of Criminal Investigations is investigating the case. A separate internal investigation is underway.

Akron Mayor Shammas Malik reacts

Immediately after the city released footage of the shooting, Akron Mayor Shammas Malik issued a statement.

“Today, the Akron Police Department released body camera and surveillance camera footage of the officer-involved shooting last Saturday that resulted in the death of 54-year-old Michael Jones. My sincere condolences go out to his family in this loss,” Malik said in the statement. “While it is never easy to witness someone's final moments, I feel it is important that our community has a clear picture of what we know so far. I also want to acknowledge that the investigative process is in its early stages.

“My thoughts are with Mr Jones' family and the officers involved,” he said.

Bryce Buyakie covers courts and public safety for the Beacon Journal. Reach him by email at [email protected] or on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @bryce_buyakie.

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