Akron dismisses officer who killed 15-year-old and agrees to $4.75 million settlement
Akron fired Officer Davon Fields for policy breaches after he shot 15-year-old Jazmir Tucker, and the city settled the family’s lawsuit for $4.75 million.
In Akron, Ohio, Officer Davon Fields was removed from the police force after a November 2024 shooting that killed 15-year-old Jazmir Tucker, who police say was armed. Mayor Shammas Malik said Fields violated multiple department policies, including neglecting immediate medical assistance and breaching body-camera protocols, and referenced a separate criminal allegation against the officer. The city also disclosed a $4.75 million settlement with Tucker’s family, which still requires a judge’s sign-off.
A grand jury had previously declined to indict Fields. The local police union, represented by Brian Lucey of the Fraternal Order of Police, denounced the termination as a political scapegoat and intends to challenge it. Body-camera footage showed officers hesitating to activate cameras and delayed aid, prompting calls for policy reforms.
Why it matters
The case highlights police accountability, municipal liability, and potential reforms to law-enforcement practices.
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