On Saturday afternoon, Akron police released bodycam footage of a police shooting that occurred last weekend and left 54-year-old Michael Donnell Jones dead.
News 5’s Jeff Levkulich will have more on this story at 6 p.m. You can watch it below:
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The shooting occurred shortly after 1 a.m. on August 17 in the parking lot of a gas station in the 2200 block of East Avenue in Akron.
According to police, Jones was shot by an Akron police officer while investigating a theft of the vehicle.
You can watch the footage in the player below. Warning: The video contains graphic content and we recommend watching it with caution.
Authorities release bodycam video of Akron police shooting of Michael Donnell Jones
Body camera footage shows the officer approaching a U-Haul truck with Jones in the driver’s seat. After the officer ordered Jones to get out of the truck, a brief struggle ensued. Jones put the truck in gear and the vehicle drove forward, briefly dragging the officer along. At one point, the officer fired his weapon.
Witnesses told News 5 that the U-Haul was turning onto the street when the shots were fired. An officer fired two shots, hitting Jones, police said.
Officers administered first aid, but Jones was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later, police said.
An initial department press release after the shooting said a loaded gun was recovered from the vehicle. An updated department press release on Saturday said, “Body camera footage released today indicates that an officer found the weapon on or near Mr. Jones after he was recovered from the vehicle.”
Akron police said the officer involved, who has worked for the department for two and a half years, has been placed on paid administrative leave.
54-year-old man shot dead by Akron police on Saturday morning
RELATED: 54-year-old man shot dead by Akron police on Saturday morning
Akron Mayor Shammas Malik issued the following statement regarding the released bodycam footage:
“Today, the Akron Police Department released body camera and surveillance camera footage from 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.
While it is never easy to witness someone’s final moments, I believe it is important that our community has a clear picture of what we know so far. I would also like to point out that the investigation process is still in its early stages.
In the coming months, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) will conduct a comprehensive, independent investigation into this incident. Following this, the APD Office of Professional Standards and Accountability (OPSA) will conduct an internal investigation that will be reviewed by the Akron Independent Police Auditor’s Office.
I am committed to ensuring that our community continues to have robust and open conversations about public safety to strengthen the collective sense of safety in Akron.
My thoughts are with Mr Jones’ family and the officers involved.”
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