Early Saturday morning, 54-year-old Michael Donnell Jones was shot and killed by Akron Police while they were investigating a stolen vehicle, according to the Akron Police Department.
Just after 1 a.m., police were investigating the stolen U-Haul in a gas station parking lot in the 2200 block of East Avenue, police said.
It is unclear what led to the shooting, but one officer fired two rounds, striking the Jones, police said.
Witnesses told News 5 the U-Haul was pulling into the street when the shots were fired.
Officers administered emergency first aid, but Jones was pronounced deceased on the scene shortly after, police said.
A loaded gun was recovered from the vehicle, police said.
The Bureau of Criminal Investigation will be conducting the investigation, and confirmed there were no new updates Monday.
Akron Police said the officer involved, a two-and-a-half-year veteran of the department, has been placed on paid administrative leave.
News 5 spoke with the clerk who was working at the gas station when it happened, adding that the actual shooting happened so fast that he didn't have time to get scared about what was happening outside.
A spokesperson for Jones’ family declined to talk on camera for this story, still dealing with the loss of a loved one.
Akron Mayor Shammas Malik released the following statement regarding the shooting:
“When an incident such as this occurs, it is tragic for our city, and everyone impacted, especially when a life is lost.
Officer-involved shootings are often highly nuanced and complex, and some of the toughest situations for a community to grapple with. More information will be released in the coming week, including the body-worn camera footage of the incident, so that we as a community can develop a clearer picture of what transpired.
My thoughts are with the family of the deceased and with our officers.”
