Ohio Teen with Toy Gun Shot by Cop
Newly released body-camera footage depicts the swift actions of an Ohio cop who shot a 15-year-old boy holding a fake gun just moments after stopping him.
Officer Ryan Vayda Westlake, a nearly decade-long veteran of the Akron police force, fired a single shot at Ohio teen Tavion Koonce-Williams on April 1, resulting in a non-life-threatening wrist injury to the Black teenager.
Westlake is currently on paid leave as state authorities investigate the incident, according to the New York Post.
The encounter unfolded shortly after 7 PM on April 1 when a woman reported seeing a Black male brandishing a gun in the Tonawanda Avenue and Newton Street area.
Responding to the call, Ohio cop Westlake encountered Tavion several blocks away.
Despite Ohio teen Tavion's repeated assertions that the gun was fake, Westlake discharged his firearm, striking Tavion in the wrist.
The released body-camera footage captures the tense moments leading up to the shooting.
Westlake is seen approaching Tavion, asking him to show his hands.
Within seconds, Westlake draws his weapon and fires, prompting Tavion to cry out in distress and declare the gun's falsity.
Despite complying with Westlake's commands to get on the ground, Tavion is injured by the gunshot.
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Responses and Calls for Justice
In the aftermath of the incident, attorney Imokhai Okolo, representing an Ohio teen's family, vowed to seek justice.
Tavion's grandmother, Karen Robinson, expressed anger and disbelief, stating that her grandson will carry the trauma of the shooting for life, Yahoo! News noted.
The family asserts that Tavion was unarmed and posed no threat to the Ohio cop.
Details from Westlake's personnel file shed light on his disciplinary history.
In May 2021, he faced a 71-day suspension for various policy violations, including brandishing his firearm while intoxicated.
Despite being terminated from his position in July 2021, Westlake was reinstated following a negotiated suspension.
The officer was also suspended for two days in June 2022 for a use-of-force incident.
Union Stands by Officer's Actions
The Akron Fraternal Order of Police maintains its support for Ohio cop Westlake, asserting that his actions were within policy and procedure.
The union emphasizes the complexities officers face in split-second decisions and expresses confidence that investigations will vindicate Westlake's actions, according to News5 Cleveland.
The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is conducting a thorough inquiry into the incident.
Upon completion, the case will be reviewed by the Ohio Attorney General's Office and presented to the Summit County Grand Jury for evaluation.
Additionally, an internal investigation by the Office of Professional Standards and Accountability will provide further insights into the incident.
In response to public concern and demands for transparency, Akron Mayor Shammas Malik released both the body-camera footage and Ohio cop Westlake's personnel file.
The mayor pledges transparency as investigations into the shooting continue, aiming to provide clarity and accountability in the aftermath of the incident.
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Written by: Ross Key
WATCH: Akron police release body cam video showing officer shoot teen carrying toy gun -From NBC News