Family of Jayland Walker files federal lawsuit against Akron, Ohio, after his traffic stop death

The family of Jayland Walker, who was shot dead by eight police officers after a traffic stop last summer, is taking the city of Akron to federal court.

The 32-page civil complaint was filed Friday - about two months after a state grand jury declined to indict eight officers involved in the Ohio shooting. The suit alleges officers used excessive force in the June 27, 2022, incident and claims there is a "culture of violence and racism at the City of Akron's Police Department."

The family is seeking at least $45 million in damages - "$1 million for each bullet that struck Jayland Walker," according to the suit. An autopsy by a Summit County medical examiner revealed Walker had 46 bullet wounds or graze injuries.

In addition to the city, the list of defendants include several members of the Akron Police Department. The officers who were directly involved in the shooting are listed under pseudonyms as their identities have not been officially released.

The lawsuit points to what is described as a satirical newsletter that was allegedly written by a former Akron officer. It was made public as part of reporting on a 1998 internal affairs inquiry and shared among some members of the department at the time, according to the lawsuit. Attorneys for the Walker family claim the document contained overtly racist content.

"This lawsuit is way bigger than Jayland Walker," Bobby DiCello, an attorney for the Walker family, said Friday. "This has been a systemic failure. Policing in Akron has been an abomination."

The city declined CNN's request for comment, citing the pending litigation. CNN also reached out to the Akron Police Department but did not immediately hear back.