AKRON, Ohio — Following the tragic shooting of a 15-year-old boy by police on Thanksgiving night, the city’s mayor and police chief have expressed that the bodycam footage of the incident raises several important questions that need to be examined. The boy’s family is also seeking answers regarding the event.
Authorities reported that Jazmir Tucker was armed with a loaded gun at the time of the shooting. It was stated that two police officers, prompted by gunfire heard near their parked cruiser shortly after 11 p.m. on November 28, exited their vehicle to investigate. They came across Tucker and pursued him, leading one officer to discharge his weapon in the course of the chase. The teenager was subsequently given initial medical assistance and transported to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. No injuries were reported among the officers involved.
The police released a video of about eight minutes long, which lacks critical details often pertinent to police shooting inquiries. The view from the shooting officer’s camera is obstructed by his arms and weapon, making it unclear what Tucker was doing immediately prior to the gunfire. However, another officer’s footage captured the moment when they unzipped Tucker’s jacket pocket and retrieved a handgun.
The video commenced silently for the first 30 seconds — a common feature when an officer activates their bodycam — during which the officer chased Tucker, aimed his rifle, and fired approximately seven shots over a span of three seconds. After the audio begins, it can be heard that officers were shouting instructions for the fallen teenager to raise his hands, despite him remaining unresponsive. Ultimately, around eight to ten officers arrived at the scene about seven minutes after Tucker was shot, handcuffed him, and searched his pockets. However, the police have not disclosed any information regarding the actions taken by officers to save his life.
In the aftermath of the video’s release, Mayor Shammas Malik and Police Chief Brian Harding issued statements expressing their concerns. Malik noted that the footage left him with many questions, particularly why the officers did not activate their body cameras immediately after exiting the vehicle and the delay in administering first aid to Tucker. “In hindsight, the amount of time that expired between the shooting and the initiation of physical aid to Jazmir is deeply troubling to me,” Malik remarked.
Chief Harding emphasized that the investigation is still in its early phases, hoping that it would yield more clarity. “Our community, our department, and most importantly, Jazmir’s family deserve and need answers to those questions,” he stated while extending condolences to Tucker’s family, who reside in Maple Heights, about 30 miles from Akron. Harding characterized the shooting as an unfortunate outcome none would desire to witness.
During a press conference accompanied by their attorney, Tucker’s family expressed their profound grief over his death. Ashley Greene, the boy’s mother, described him as a “great kid,” while his great-aunt, Connie Sutton, remembered him as someone who was always cheerful. Sutton added, “Everybody loved Jaz, and Jaz loved everybody else.”
The officer who fired the weapon has been with the police department for nearly five years. Both he and his partner were placed on paid administrative leave in accordance with department protocols, and their identities have not been disclosed. The local Fraternal Order of Police stated that its members are fully cooperating with the ongoing investigations. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is leading the inquiry, alongside the Akron police’s internal investigation.
