July 4th Shooting Suspect's Arrest Prompts Racism Debate After Jayland Walker's Death

People have hit out at police over the treatment of Jayland Walker when compared to Robert E. Crimo III.

Crimo was arrested 'without incident' eight hours after six people were shot and killed and over 30 injured during the 4th July parade massacre in Highland Park, Illinois.

Mr Walker, however, was shot at least 60 times by Akron Police as he fled his vehicle following a suspected traffic violation last week.

Footage released by the police shows the 25-year-old running from his car as a group of officers chase him down.

The force said during a press conference that Mr Walker had shot at them from his car during their pursuit.

He was believed to have had a gun on him when he left his vehicle, and police said officers feared he was preparing to fire on them when they shot him.

However, it was later revealed that he was not in possession of a firearm at the time of his death.

Conversely, footage from Crimo's arrest shows him lying on the ground by his car as police walk slowly up to him and handcuff him.

While it was obviously two different police forces involved in each case, many have now pointed out how differently Mr Walker was treated when compared to the young rapper, who was named as a person of interest following yesterday's horrific shooting.

Writing on Twitter, one user said: "Robert E. Crimo III was arrested as a person of interest in the Illinois mass shooting, fled the scene, and was taken into custody without incident.

"Jayland Walker was stopped for a traffic violation, fled the scene, and was shot 60 times."

Another wrote: "Robert "Bobby" E. Crimo III taken in Alive. Don’t tell me we don’t have a problem with race in this country.

Robert "Bobby" E. Crimo III taken in Alive. Don’t tell me we don’t have a problem with race in this country. #JaylandWalker killed no one and got shot 60 times. pic.twitter.com/Kbw5Wy3bEG

— Far From Scripted Podcast (@FarScripted) July 5, 2022

There's just no reconciling what we saw happen to Jayland Walker with what we've now seen happen to Robert Crimo.

— Jody Dean (@DFWJodyDean) July 5, 2022

I totally agree but To be fair Totally different scenarios https://t.co/nSOp9z3dsG

— Henry K. (@ohhenryTOTFC) July 5, 2022

"#JaylandWalker killed no one and got shot 60 times."

A third said: "They arrested Robert "Bobby" E. Crimo III without a single shot while an unarmed man Jayland Walker was shot 90 times, getting hit 60 times. This country ain’t s**t."

Another added: "There's just no reconciling what we saw happen to Jayland Walker with what we've now seen happen to Robert Crimo."

While understanding the criticism levelled at police, some have pointed out that it is very difficult to compare the two situations.

Sharing footage of Crimo's arrest, one user said: "I totally agree but to be fair totally different scenarios."

Since he was named in the investigation as a person of interest, a number of worrying videos posted to social media by Crimo have been brought to light.

One clip shows what appears to be the aftermath of a shooting, with the 21-year-old draped in the US flag.

While another sees what seems to be a cartoon animation of Crimo wearing a black T-shirt and lying in a pool of blood in front of the police.

Akron Police announced this week that it had opened an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Mr Walker's death.

Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan pleaded with people to remain calm and allow the investigation to take its course.

He said: "I am urging the public to do one of the most difficult things I can ask, and that is to be patient and let the Attorney General's Bureau of Criminal Investigation do their work.

"It's my commitment to be as open and transparent as we can be, given that there is an ongoing independent investigation. I trust that investigation to be fair, thorough, and just."

If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article and wish to speak to someone in confidence, contact Stop Hate UK by visiting their website www.stophateuk.org