Akron Mayor Shammas Malik says the city’s agreement to settle a wrongful death lawsuit with the estate of Jazmir Tucker more than a year and a half after the teen was fatally shot by on-duty Akron police officer Davon Fields follows a prolonged investigation and scrutiny of initial reports about the confrontation.
In an interview Aug. 14 following the city’s announcement of the Fields’ firing and the tentative $4.75 million settlement, Malik said the city is working to prevent a tragedy like Jazmir’s death from happening again.
Why did Malik fire officer Fields?
Fields fatally shot Jazmir three times – including twice in the back – on Thanksgiving in 2024 as the officer was investigating the sound of gunshots in the vicinity of the Miller South School for the Visual and Performing Arts in the city’s Sherbondy Hill neighborhood.
Malik said that after reviewing the draft internal investigation into Fields’ shooting of Jazmir, the evidence didn’t justify why it took officers eight minutes to render medical aid to Jazmir after Fields shot him.
In May, Fields was placed on administrative leave following allegations of sexual assault. Fields has denied the allegations, and the Akron lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police has spoken out in his defense. The FOP says Fields’ dismissal is a violation of the union’s contract with the city. Malik said the step was necessary to protect the public.
“The conduct described there is very serious,” Malik said, “and challenges his credibility and ability to do his job, particularly when it comes to testifying in cases.”
Can the FOP appeal Fields’ termination?
Yes, Malik said.
Why did it take nearly two years to get to this point?
Malik said completing the investigations into the incident took time, as did the “back and forth” surrounding the draft internal investigation report.
“And also these new criminal allegations that came up in May of 2026 also impacted it as well,” he said. He acknowledged that no criminal charges have been filed against Fields in that case, but that the accusations are serious.
How will the city pay the $4.75 million settlement to Jazmir’s family?
“The city will pay for it out of our city general fund,” Malik said. “It is a substantial amount of money. It is a staggering amount of money, but we are able to pay it. At the end of the day, it is reflective, one, of the seriousness of the situation, but also of the fact that we cannot sustain these large settlements.”
He said that the city doesn’t carry insurance against settlements like this. Between the $4.85 million settlement to the family of Jayland Walker and the settlement with the Tucker family, the city has paid out nearly $10 million in settlements.
“My focus is less on insurance,” Malik said. “My focus is on doing everything we can to mitigate the risk of that liability and to make sure that we have the best possible standards, the best possible policies, the best possible practices. That is the work that we have been doing as an administration.”
Contact reporter Derek Kreider at DKreider@Gannett.com or 330-541-9413.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron mayor addresses firing of officer, settlement with Tucker estate
Reporting by Derek Kreider, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
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By Derek Kreider, Akron Beacon Journal | USA TODAY Network
