Officials in Akron, Ohio, have fired the police officer who fatally shot 15-year-old Jazmir Tucker in November 2024. The city announced Friday it has also agreed to a $4.75 million settlement with the teen's family, pending a judge's approval, following a lawsuit filed by the family.
Police stated that Tucker was carrying a loaded weapon when he was shot. Two officers reportedly heard gunshots, spotted Tucker, pursued him, and then one officer fired multiple times.
Akron Mayor Shammas Malik cited multiple policy violations for Officer Davon Fields' termination, including failure to provide proper medical aid and violations of the department's body-worn camera policy. Malik also referenced other issues related to a separate criminal allegation against Fields. "The loss of life and the circumstances in this case were absolutely tragic, with enormous human and financial costs," Malik said in a statement. "We have a responsibility to make policy changes that reduce the likelihood of cases like this happening in the future."
The head of Akron's police union called the firing unjust and stated the officer is being used as a "political scapegoat." Brian Lucey, president of the local Fraternal Order of Police, indicated the union plans to contest the firing.
A grand jury had previously decided against indicting Fields nearly a year ago.
Weeks after the shooting, the mayor had raised concerns about the body camera footage, questioning why officers did not activate their cameras immediately and why first aid was delayed. The footage showed the shooting officer's arms and weapon obscuring the view of Tucker before the shots were fired. Another officer's camera captured police removing a handgun from the wounded teenager's jacket pocket.