The Ohio officers who shot and killed Jayland Walker, a 25-year-old Black man, have been reinstated and are back on active duty.
The decision to reinstate the eight officers follows a grand jury’s 2022 decision against indicting them. The department’s own internal investigation is expected to conclude soon with the review to be released in November.
The officers’ identities have not been released. In the wake of the shooting, they were first put on leave and then reinstated to desk duty in October last year.
Bobby DiCello, who is representing the Walker family, told WKYC-TV that they are “saddened by the way in which they continue to be ignored.”
The city’s leaders, DiCello added, “never once reached out to discuss the employment of the eight officers or explain why the officers are being reinstated.”
Walker was killed on June 27, 2022 after officers chased him in a vehicle and then on foot before firing 94 shots at him. The hail of gunfire lasted around seven seconds and left Walker shot 46 times with more than 60 injuries.
Officers attempted to stop Walker for traffic and equipment violations, according to the Associated Press. He fired a single shot at the pursuing officers.
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said when officers were finally able to approach the car, Walker jumped out of his car and ran as he ignored their commands to stop and show his hands.
Officers first used Tasers on Walker, according to Yost, before he appeared to reach into his waistband. Officers said they were unaware Walker had left his gun in his car and fired their own weapons.
The officers kept firing even after he was on the ground.
Both Walker’s family and the NAACP have called on the Department of Justice to open a federal civil rights investigation into the incident.