Bodycam footage shows Akron police shooting teen determined to hold fake gun

Body camera footage released Monday by the city of Akron shows the April 1 shooting of teenager Tavion Koonce-Williams, who was shot in the hand after a 911 caller reported him to the police for holding what was later determined to be a toy gun.

Video shows the teen, who was not named by police but was later identified by the family’s attorney as 15-year-old Koonce-Williams, was shot in the hand by a department officer Akron Police Department (APD) after a 911 call, who was walking his dog in the neighborhood, reported to police that Koonce-Williams was pointing a gun at people’s homes.

The video shows the officer arriving on scene and asking the teen to put his hands behind his back before firing a single shot that injured the teen’s hand as he exited his vehicle. The teen can be seen with his hands in the air amid the shooting, repeatedly shouting, “It’s wrong, it’s wrong, it’s wrong,” about the gun, as the The officer gets out of his vehicle.

Lawyer Imokhai Okolo, who represents the teenager and his family, released a statement on Monday, saying the East High School student’s family was “heartbroken” and demanding justice.

“(He) is now dealing with the trauma of being profiled and having his life flash before his eyes after being shot,” Okolo said. “Tavion was shot in the inside of the wrist, clearly indicating that his hands were raised when he was shot.”

The officer was identified Monday by the city of Akron as Ryan Westlake, a nine-year veteran of the department who was placed on paid administrative leave in connection with the investigation.

The city also released Westlake’s personnel file, showing he was initially fired from APD in July 2021 due to various policy violations, but was later rehired following an agreement with the union of the police.

“The officer’s record includes a number of disciplinary actions and use of force incidents, one of which was deemed unreasonable. Additionally, the city plans to release more information in the coming weeks,” according to the press release released Monday by the city. .

The Akron Fraternal Order of Police (AFOP), the union representing Westlake, told Akron ABC affiliate WEWS that this is “an extremely difficult situation for everyone involved.” There is always concern whenever an officer is faced with an incredibly difficult and divided situation. second decision to defend oneself and others against an armed suspect.

“We are confident that when all the facts are made public, our officer’s actions will be found justified,” the statement added.

ABC News has contacted AFOP for further comment.

“The incident remains under investigation (BCI) and, thanks to the independent investigation, we will not engage further,” an Akron Police Department spokesperson told ABC News on Tuesday. .

Akron Mayor Shammas Malik said in a statement Monday that the city released the officer’s body camera footage and personnel file in an “effort to be as transparent as possible.”

“We will continue to be transparent and communicative as the process unfolds,” he added.

What the video shows

The shooting occurred around 7:04 p.m. on April 1 after a 911 call, which was also released by police Monday, reporting a man in the area of ​​Newton Street and Tonawanda Avenue allegedly pointing a gun at the homes surrounding areas, according to police. .

“I was calling because I was walking my dog ​​and there was a guy walking down the street and he was pointing a gun at people’s houses. He pulled it out and was acting like he was going to shoot up their houses ” the caller said. in the audio of the 911 call.

When asked if the man was “white or black,” the caller responded, “Black man, shorter dreads, he’s wearing a black hoodie and there’s like Adidas or something.” ‘written on the back and the gun was like a little bigger than a gun. gun.”

A responding officer approached “the subject matching the described colors” around 7:11 p.m. local time while walking on Britton Road near the corner of Ottawa Avenue, according to police.

“The officer stopped his marked police car to investigate. As he began to exit his patrol car, he quickly gave the man a verbal command to show his hands,” police said in a press release accompanying the release of body camera footage. . “Seconds later, the officer fired his firearm once, striking the man in the hand after observing the subject with what appeared to be a firearm in his hand.”

“Shots fired, fall to the ground!” the officer said, repeatedly yelling at him that the gun was “fake,” Koonce-Williams fell to the ground, the footage shows.

The video shows the teen crying in pain throughout the incident as officers place handcuffs on him while he is on the ground. He told police he was on his way home from his cousin’s funeral and that his grandmother lives down the street.

“I can’t feel my hand,” he cries.

“I’m a good boy, I get straight A’s at school, I play football,” he tells the police as they provide first aid.

Koonce-Williams was transported to an area hospital where he “was treated for a non-life-threatening injury,” police said.

“Tavion now finds himself in the lineage of young black people profiled and shot by Akron police without any justification or respect for human life,” Okolo said.

Okolo said the city plans to charge the teen following the incident. When asked if charges could be filed against the teen, a spokesperson for the city of Akron did not immediately respond to ABC News’ request.

According to APD, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) will investigate this matter and, once completed, the findings will be forwarded to the Ohio Attorney General’s Office for review.

A BCI spokesperson confirmed to ABC News on Monday that its “investigation is active and ongoing.”

The spokesperson added that “the findings will be forwarded to the county attorney for review” and said the Summit County Attorney’s Office has requested that the case also be presented to a grand jury for evaluation.