AKRON, Ohio — An unknown group of protestors took to the streets as Akron City Council met inside.
They were surrounded by heavy fencing, concrete barriers, and businesses that started boarding up. All this as a special grand jury convenes in the case of Jayland Walker's death.
Walker was shot and killed by eight Akron police officers back on June 27. On Monday, a grand jury was seated, and all will now decide whether or not the officers who fired on the unarmed Black man should face criminal charges.
Walker's body was riddled with at least 46 bullet wounds after a car and foot chase. Protests in the city began quickly and left several downtown businesses badly damaged.
Nine months later, Eddies Famous Cheesesteaks & Grille owner Ed Sutter is making preparations, just in case
"When it comes to safety, that's a whole different story," Sutter said.
Akron Police Chief Steve Mylett told 3News he is partially responsible for the barricades. According to him, it's not that he's expecting trouble, but, "we would be negligent to not make preparations after what happened last year."
Later Monday night, Mylett released a video statement on the police department's Facebook page, outlining both the ongoing process as well as addressing the possibility of demonstrations. The chief emphasized that citizens have "a constitutional right to assemble and non-violently protest," but also warned their would be consequences for those who resort to violence.
"While we cannot know what the grand jury will decide, the Akron Police Department will be prepared in the event protests occur in the city," he declared.
Walker family attorney Bobby DiCello released a statement of his own this afternoon which read, in part, "Today the family of Jayland Walker urges you to be mindful of how important it is that in America, everyone has equal access to justice and a fair process. They are not advocating for anything more than that." Now, the weight of the final decision rests on the shoulders of the grand jury.
"We really need to pray for the people making these decisions," Sutter said. "These are really big decisions. I certainly wouldn't want to be in their shoes."