Bodycam released after Akron police officers shoot 54-year-old

AKRON, Ohio (WOIO) – Akron police released bodycam footage Saturday after a man was shot and killed by an officer earlier this month.

Last Saturday, Akron officers responded to a gas station in the 2200 block of East Avenue shortly after 1 a.m. on a report of a stolen vehicle.

Surveillance video from the gas station shows Akron police officers approaching the suspected stolen vehicle, a U-Haul truck, and attempting to arrest Michael Donnell Jones.

The video shows police entering the U-Haul and the U-Haul then driving away with the officers inside.

“Get out of the car,” an officer said in the body-worn camera footage.

“What’s going on?” Jones replied.

The video then shows officers trying to pull Jones out of the car.

During the altercation, the U-Haul truck moves and shots are fired.

According to the Summit County Coroner's Office, Jones was shot twice in the torso.

An attorney representing Jones' family issued a statement after the bodycam was released:

Akron officers on scene administered first aid to Jones while waiting for emergency services.

His death was later confirmed at the crime scene.

Akron officers also found a loaded gun near Jones.

The officer involved in the shooting remains on leave while the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation investigates the fatal shooting.

According to the press release, the officer involved is an officer who has been with the Akron Police Department for two and a half years.

According to the press release, BCI was also on site and the case will be turned over to the Ohio Attorney General's Office upon completion of the investigation and then presented to the Summit County Grand Jury for consideration.

A separate investigation will be conducted internally by Akron's Officer of Professional Standards and Accountability and the results will be presented to the Police Chief and the Police Comptroller.

The Summit County Coroner also clarified that the verdict of manslaughter is a medical verdict meaning death at the hands of another person and not a legal conclusion, as several investigations are still pending.

Akron Mayor Shammas Malik issued the following statement Saturday afternoon:

This is a developing story. Return to 19 News for updates.

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