AKRON, Ohio — The city of Akron confirms authorities were forced to break up what is being called an "unlawful" protest Wednesday night, two days after a grand jury declined to indict the eight officers involved in Jayland Walker's death.
So far, police say no arrests have been made.
According to officials, a peaceful march initially began near Copley Road and South Hawkins Avenue, and the crowd eventually made its way down Copley to East Avenue over the course of the next hour-plus. Around 8:30 p.m., police claim some members started throwing objects like rocks and bottles at officers, and eventually members of law enforcement deployed pepper spray to disperse the assembly.
It is not known at this time which agency deployed the tear gas, but members of the Akron Police Department and Summit County Sheriff's Office were both at the scene. Some protesters have posted videos from the gathering, claiming the event was peaceful before police began spraying the irritant.
Ideastream's Ygal Kaufman was at the protest, and filmed his own video of authorities "spraying anyone in the street or too close on the sidewalk" as well as the use of multiple smoke bombs. 3News has been given permission to use the footage.
In response to complaints from protesters regarding the actions of officers during the protest, Akron police told WKYC a 70-car caravan was part of the gathering and reiterated reports from Chief Steve Mylett that members of the crowd were surrounding officers and throwing things.
Later on Wednesday night, a group of protesters gathered in Highland Square.
Just prior to 11 p.m., 3News cameras witnessed protesters throwing rocks into the Wally Waffle restaurant.
More information should be available in a full report on Thursday.
Tensions have been high in Akron since the grand jury decision, but for the most part all demonstrations have been calm and have not come close to the destruction seen last summer in the aftermath of Walker's death. Six people were arrested Monday evening.