Community Remembers Jazmir Tucker on Would-Be 16th Birthday, Calls for Police Reform

On what would have been Jazmir Tucker's 16th birthday, family and friends gathered in downtown Akron to commemorate his life following his fatal shooting by police on Thanksgiving night. The event included a carnation drop symbolizing the 'blood on the City of Akron's hands' and a balloon release, emphasizing community calls for police reform. An autopsy report revealed Tucker was shot three times by Akron police, raising questions about the circumstances surrounding the incident, which is still under investigation. Community members, including Tucker's mother, Ashley Green, have urged for accountability and change, noting that this tragedy is part of a troubling pattern of police violence against Black youth in the city. The gathering highlighted the emotional toll on loved ones, with Tucker's girlfriend recalling their time together as filled with excitement and joy. The ongoing protests and memorials underscore the community's demand for justice and reform within the Akron Police Department.