Rep. Sims Mourns Fatal Police Shooting of Akron Teen Jazmir Tucker, Calls for Accountability, Reform

COLUMBUS — State Rep. Veronica Sims (D-Akron) today issued the following statement after the release of the autopsy report detailing fatal police shooting of Jazmir Tucker, a Black 15-year-old by Akron police officers last Thanksgiving night:

"The findings from the Summit County Medical Examiner are deeply disturbing. Jazmir Tucker, with his back turned, was shot multiple times, resulting in his tragic death. This heartbreaking incident raises serious questions about the continued use of deadly force and the circumstances surrounding it. And while painful to watch, the bodycam and dashboard footage of the incident has been extremely valuable to understand the chain of events following the Thanksgiving night shooting. It highlights why the public should have fair and unchallenging access to these types of public records for the sake of transparency and accountability,” said Rep. Sims. “As the family and community anxiously await the disposition of the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, and the subsequent expedited response for justice, the echoing call for substantive reforms can and must not wait. While no action can bring Jazmir back, we must ensure that this tragedy leads to transformative change. We cannot afford to allow more families and communities like Jazmir’s to suffer through the indescribable trauma these incidents inflict.”