Jacksonville, FL — Community Demands Answers After Police Killing of Jamari Akins

Jacksonville, FL — Community Demands Answers After Police Killing of Jamari Akins

The city of Jacksonville, Florida, is once again at the epicenter of grief, outrage, and calls for justice following the fatal police shooting of Jamari Akins, a young Black man whose life ended tragically during a confrontation with officers from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO). The incident has left Jamari’s family shattered and the community demanding transparency, accountability, and a full, independent investigation.

According to an official statement from the JSO, the fatal encounter occurred following reports of an armed robbery in a Northside neighborhood late Monday evening. Officers alleged that Jamari, who was 22 years old, matched the description of a suspect believed to be armed and dangerous. They claim he fled when approached and brandished a weapon, prompting officers to fire. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

However, the official narrative is being met with deep skepticism by many in the Jacksonville community, especially those who knew Jamari personally. Friends and family describe him as a kind-hearted, driven young man who had his share of struggles but was working hard to turn his life around. He had recently started a job in construction and was enrolled in night classes at Florida State College at Jacksonville, with hopes of pursuing a career in HVAC repair.

“Jamari wasn’t perfect, but he was trying,” said his mother, LaTrina Akins, during a tearful vigil held in Springfield Park. “He was my baby, and he did not deserve to die like this—alone, scared, and gunned down like he didn’t matter.”

Witness accounts from the scene vary. Some residents claim to have heard officers yelling commands and then a sudden barrage of gunfire. Others say they didn’t see a weapon on Jamari. Cell phone footage captured by a bystander, which has been circulating on social media, appears to show officers standing over his body without rendering immediate aid, further intensifying public anger.

Civil rights organizations, local clergy, and activists have joined Jamari’s family in calling for an independent investigation led by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) or the U.S. Department of Justice. They’re also pushing for the release of body-worn camera footage from all officers involved in the shooting, which the JSO has so far withheld, citing an “ongoing investigation.”

“Black lives in Jacksonville continue to be treated as disposable,” said Reverend Allen Thompson, a prominent community leader and member of the Jacksonville Community Action Committee (JCAC). “We’re not just demanding answers—we’re demanding a systemic overhaul. We are tired of burying our sons.”

This isn’t the first time the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office has faced scrutiny over its use of force, particularly against Black residents. According to a 2024 study by the Florida Center for Investigative Reporting, Jacksonville ranks among the highest cities in the state for police shootings per capita, with an overwhelming number involving young Black men. Advocates argue that patterns of racial profiling, lack of officer accountability, and an opaque internal investigation process have eroded trust between law enforcement and the communities they are sworn to protect.

Jamari’s family has retained legal counsel and is preparing to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Their attorney, Marcus Bell, emphasized that transparency and accountability must be non-negotiable. “We will get justice for Jamari Akins. This is not just about one family’s grief—it’s about a broken system that allows this to keep happening.”

Protests and rallies are expected to continue throughout the week, with calls for city officials to take immediate action, including suspending the officers involved, implementing body cam policy reforms, and creating a civilian review board with the power to investigate police misconduct independently.

As candles continue to flicker at memorials across the city and chants of “Say his name—Jamari Akins!” echo in the streets, one thing is clear: Jacksonville is at a crossroads. The pain is raw, the demands are clear, and the community is united in its pursuit of truth, justice, and changed