Akron police shooting footage of Michael D. Jones shows struggle as U-Haul pulls away

Body-worn camera and security footage showed the moment an Akron police officer shot and killed Michael D. Jones in the early morning of Aug. 17.

The city of Akron released the footage Saturday afternoon, one week after the deadly incident.

Just before the incident, two Akron police officers parked behind a U-Haul truck parked at a pump at a gas station in the 220 block of East Avenue in Kenmore a little after 1 a.m.

Just as one officer approached the truck, it began to drive away before the officer knocked on the driver's side door. The U-Haul stopped and the officer opened the door.

Body camera footage from both officers showed Jones in the driver's seat with a medical mask on and with his seatbelt buckled.

After one officer is heard asking Jones to step out of the vehicle, Jones can be seen taking off his seat belt and beginning to get out of the car.

"Come on, out of the car," the officer asked a second time.

"What's going on?" Jones is heard asking the two officers. "What's going on?"

"Listen, please. You're under arrest. Get out of the car," one officer said.

Jones then asked why he was under arrest.

The roughly ten-second verbal interaction then ended, according to body-worn camera footage, as one officer grabbed at Jones, who was still in the U-Haul, before the second officer also reached for Jones.

Security footage from the gas station then showed the vehicle driving forward as both officers continued to struggle with Jones while hanging out of the driver's door. The vehicle turned right onto East Avenue and entered the far right lane as a horn blared in the background.

Two gunshots can be heard in both body-worn camera videos. The struggle ends with Jones slumped face down across the seat.

The officers pulled Jones out of the vehicle and onto the ground and handcuffed him before one officer ran to the police cruiser to grab a medical kit.

Sirens are heard in the background as one of the officers pats down Jones as he was lying on the ground. The officer pulls out a revolver-like handgun and is heard saying it is "fully loaded."

Police said they administered first aid, including applying a chest seal. Jones was pronounced dead at the scene.

More: Man killed in Akron police shooting early Saturday at Kenmore gas station identified

Investigation remains ongoing

Akron police issued a news release alongside the body camera and security footage.

Two 911 calls were placed immediately after the shooting. One caller told dispatchers that Jones was shot while handcuffed, a claim police said does not match up with body camera footage.

"He was not handcuffed at the time," police said.

The officer who fired shots has been on the Akron force for two and a half years. He was placed on paid administrative leave and has not been identified.

The state's Bureau of Criminal Investigations is looking into the matter. A separate internal investigation is ongoing.

Akron Mayor Shammas Malik reacts

Immediately after the city released footage of the shooting, Akron Mayor Shammas Malik issued a statement.

“Today, the Akron Police Department released body camera footage and surveillance camera footage of the officer involved shooting last Saturday that resulted in the death of 54-year-old Michael Jones. My heart goes out to his family in this loss," Malik said in the statement. "While it is never easy to watch someone’s last moments, I believe it is important that our community has a clear picture of what we know so far. I also want to acknowledge that the investigative process is in the beginning stages.

"My thoughts remain with the loved ones of Mr. Jones, and with the officers involved," he said.

Family of Michael D. Jones releases statement

Before the body-worn camera and security footage were released, the family of Jones reviewed the footage.

"The children of Michael Donnell Jones had a private viewing of the video which showed the last, tragic moments of Michael's life, and were devastated by what they saw," a statement released by the family's attorney Bobby DiCello read. "They struggle to understand why the officers leapt into the truck, why they then tased him, and why they shot him, especially when Michael made no threats toward them of any kind."

In the statement, DiCello said Jones may have lost control of the vehicle after officers shocked him with a Taser and shot him. It was not clear from the footage whether police used a Taser, and the Beacon Journal couldn't immediately confirm whether one was used.

"Michael's children were most impacted by Michael's last moments as he was dragged out of the truck and appeared to brace himself as he was thrown onto the pavement where he died," DiCello said in the statement. "Michael's children are committed to getting justice for Michael, and they urge the City of Akron to hold the officers accountable."

DiCello previously represented Jayland Walker's family after Walker was shot and killed by Akron police in 2022 following a car and foot chase.

Police union stands by statement issued after shooting

President of the Fraternal Order of Police Akron Lodge 7 President Brian Lucey said the incident was tragic and difficult for everyone involved.

The police union is continuing to work with all agencies involved in the ongoing investigations, he said Saturday, referencing a news release issued after the shooting occurred on Aug. 17.

In the release, Lucey described Jones as non-compliant during the incident.

"We are confident when all facts are released, our officer's actions will be deemed justified," he said in the news release.

Bryce Buyakie covers courts and public safety for the Beacon Journal. He can be reached by email at bbuyakie@gannett.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @bryce_buyakie.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron police release body cam footage of shooting of Michael Jones