Black Elected Officials of Summit County ask Akron not to call in National Guard

The Black Elected Officials of Summit County on Monday afternoon asked the city of Akron not to call in the National Guard — which hadn't happened as of Monday afternoon — in response to the Akron police killing of Jayland Walker.

A spokesperson for Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said Monday afternoon that he was unaware of any request to send the National Guard to Akron. The request would come from Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan or Akron Police Chief Steve Mylett.

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The Black Elected Officials said in the statement that "during these moments of heightened tension," they're asking Horrigan to "direct law enforcement to prioritize de-escalation tactics while considering crowd control and protest monitoring."

The officials also asked the city to use deescalation tactics during protests and use local resources if more support is needed.

"Simply put, the response should be de-escalation, not militarization. This community needs a lot of things at this moment, but we do not need the National Guard," the statement reads. "Such a move will only further escalate an already tense situation and foster additional mistrust in a system that far too many believe has failed them.

"We need decision-making that is thoughtful, considerate, and led with compassion in these defining moments. We need real solutions and real answers, and we are committed to ensuring that we have a substantive policy and systemic change in the days and weeks ahead. But this doesn’t not happen without the support of the community who needs time to grieve and express their pain."

In the statement, the officials also renewed calls for peaceful protesting, saying they "continue to request peace for our entire city."

"The family of Jayland Walker has requested that the community respond by respecting Jayland’s life, and we should honor their requests," the statement reads. "Every person who is affected by Jayland’s death should have an opportunity to speak their mind, as is their First Amendment right, without fear of retaliation or harm."

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Demetrius Travis Sr., a cousin of Walker, said in a statement Monday that the Walker family doesn't condone the "violent protest."

"We understand people are angry and frustrated not only with (the) senseless killing of our loved one Jayland Walker, but many other senseless killings of people of color at the hands of predominantly white officers across the nation, but please we ask that you protest peacefully in the fight to get justice for Jayland," Travis said.

USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau reporter Jessie Balmert and Beacon Journal reporter Molly Walsh contributed reporting. Contact Beacon Journal reporter Emily Mills at emills@thebeaconjournal.com and on Twitter @EmilyMills818.