Wednesdays with Wade featured the usual topics of discussion — bicycle paths, street reconstruction, and the new county jail — but the monthly community forum took on a more somber tone Wednesday evening as talks shifted to the city’s response to Friday’s police shooting of an armed robbery suspect.
“I think what Toledo has done up until now really can be a lesson to other cities on how to handle a situation like this,” Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz told the audience of about 45. “We had a tragedy on Friday, but it didn’t turn into a catastrophe.”
RELATED: Group takes protest over shooting to outside of Toledo mayor's home
Lamar Richardson, 25, was fatally shot by Toledo police after he “produced a weapon” as officers were attempting to apprehend him in connection with a series of convenience store robberies. Concerned neighbors and community members flooded Hudson Street near Lagrange Street that night, demanding answers from officers on scene.
Hours after the shooting Mr. Kapszukiewicz and Toledo police Chief George Kral released the camera footage captured from the squad car’s dashboard, something the mayor said other cities in similar situations haven’t done so quickly.
“In most cases it’s certainly a number of days or weeks,” Mr. Kapszukiewicz said. “We released it in a matter of hours, and I think that played a role in calming things down.”
Toledoans gathered at the Point Place Branch Library for the forum Wednesday evening agreed, and several commended community leaders and Mr. Richardson’s family members for working to keep a tense situation as calm as possible.
“I just wanted to say how much we appreciated the cousin, and even the father, who was very upset. But they spoke,” Point Place resident Joyce Ejhinger said. “If there’s a problem, we have to face it. They stepped up and said, especially the cousin, ‘Let’s keep it peaceful and not have any more life lost.’ God bless them all.”
Chief Kral addressed the audience briefly before leaving to keep tabs on a planned rally brewing on the other side of town. The protest was organized by Toledo native Sir Maejor Page, an agitator and activist now based in Atlanta, who advertised the rally as fighting for justice for Mr. Richardson.
A group of about 60 protesters gathered outside Mr. Kapszukiewicz’s house. They chanted “Justice for all” as they marched through West Toledo.
Mr. Kapszukiewicz said he has not reached out to Mr. Page but said he is “aware that he is passionate about this issue.” He said his administration will talk with anyone who wants to offer constructive solutions.
Staff writer Javonte Anderson contributed to this story.
Contact Sarah Elms at selms@theblade.com, 419-724-6103, or on Twitter @BySarahElms.
First Published August 2, 2018, 1:28 a.m.
