AKRON, Ohio — Police and Akron Mayor Daniel Horrigan released dash cam and body cam footage of a January incident that resulted in the shooting of a suspect.
The group scheduled a news conference to show the video in effort to provide transparency to the public.
"That's why we're here today, because we're concerned," Chief Kenneth Ball said when asked if the department is concerned by public scrutiny. "...That misinformation is damaging to our entire community so in this particular situation the decision was made that we would have this released today and allow the public access to part of this investigation that we don't believe are compromising."
The shooting occurred Jan. 7 when officers attempted to make a traffic stop in the area of Manchester Road and Russell Avenue. Police said the driver of a silver Chevrolet with no plates took off, sparking a chase that lasted approximately one minute and 19 seconds before it was canceled for safety reasons.
Police say the suspect's vehicle later crashed in the area of Manchester Road and Kenmore Boulevard. When officers approached the vehicle, the suspect, identified as 19-year-old Elijah Cade, was slumped over the wheel.
When Cade opened his eyes, police said he began reaching around inside the car. He can be heard saying, "Where's my gun at?" in an officer's body cam footage.
Police say Cade ignored commands to show his hands, exited the car and took off running. As officers chased him about 50 feet, Cade suddenly turned with his hands together at his waist.
Body cam footage shows Cade turn and raise his hands into what police called a "shooter's stance" before he was shot twice by officers.
The Akron Police Department said its officers had two seconds to determine if the suspect was a deadly threat. On Friday, they confirmed that Cade was not armed at the time of the shooting.
Officers gave Cade first aid until medical crews arrived and took him to the hospital.
The officers involved were placed on leave "per departmental procedure." One of the officers has nearly 13 years of service, while the other two officers have almost two years of service.