AKRON, Ohio — While wide-scale protests over the June police killing of Jayland Walker have primarily quieted down, tensions appeared to boil over last night in what police are describing as an "assault" between a "caravan" of protesters and a motorcyclist in front of the Harold Stubbs Justice Center in Akron.
According to a media release shared with 3News, Akron Police Department officials allege a caravan of protesters and "more than 15 cars" gathered in front of the court house and police station, attempting to block traffic on High Street. Police say the group moved on and traveled to other locations without incident before returning to the police station at around 8:30 pm.
After returning to High Street, police allege that "several agitators" within the group began stopping uninvolved vehicles, including a motorcycle operated by a 35-year-old man. Police allege that at least two men attacked the 35-year-old from behind, causing "significant facial injuries."
According to the media release, the man traveling south on S. High Street was confronted by a group of protestors, demanding that he move in another direction. Police claim that several people in the crowd threatened the man before allegedly being attacked and knocked to the ground, causing damage to the motorcycle.
The man transported himself to Summa Health System for his injuries.
Police also allege that the caravan continued to travel around the city after the incident.
"After the assault, the caravan traveled to other locations throughout the city, causing disturbances, creating safety concerns, and obstructing the flow of traffic in various neighborhoods," said Akron Police Department officials in the media release.
Police say no arrests have been made and that detectives are still investigating the incident and working to identify those involved.
EDITOR'S NOTE: The video above previously aired on 3News on July 4, 2022.