The killing of an African-American youth who was shot by dozens of police bullets last Monday in Akron, Ohio, sparked angry demonstrations on Friday in this city near Cleveland, in the northern United States.
Gayland Walker, 25, was killed while fleeing police after trying to arrest him for a traffic offence.
The city police said - in a statement - that the young driver shot its officers during the chase.
She added that "the actions of the suspect led the elements to realize that there was a mortal threat", so "they fired from their weapons, killing the suspect" as he fled.
Police said they found a weapon in the car that the young man had left.
Following the incident, the authorities arrested the police officers involved in the killing of the young man administratively, pending the completion of the judicial investigation, and an internal investigation was opened, according to what the police confirmed, which is supposed to publish in the coming days the recordings of the cameras that were in their possession.
The police did not give details about the shooting, but - according to local media - 8 policemen fired more than 90 bullets at Walker.
The killing of the young Walker left his family sad and distressed (communication sites)
fatal bullets
The organization "Black Lives Matter" (Black Lives Matter) said on Twitter, "They hit him 60 times."
Since Wednesday, protesters have begun gathering outside the town hall and police station in Akron, known as the birthplace of basketball star LeBron James.
"He wasn't a monster, he wasn't someone who had been involved in a crime in his life," family attorney Bobby DeCillo told the press, while his cousin Laguana Walker Dawkins said "Jayland was a nice guy who never caused any trouble."
It is noteworthy that the city council decided two days ago to cancel an annual festival that was expected on the long weekend on the occasion of the National Day (July 4), considering that "the time is not appropriate for celebrations."