Protesters Demonstrate After APD Arrest Man At Home, Drop Charges

AURORA, IL — Hundreds of people demonstrated Wednesday afternoon outside the Aurora Police Department after officers arrested a man at his home the day before. Jabari Walker was charged with two misdemeanors after police arrested him Tuesday. According to video of the arrest shared on social media by Walker’s wife, officers did not provide an explanation to his family about why he was being arrested.

Melanie Walker says in the video that an Aurora police officer approached her kids while they were setting off “snaps” they bought at a local dollar store. The officer told them to “stop setting off fireworks” and continued to walk past the family’s home, she said.

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But when Jabari Walker came to the front of the house from the backyard, the officer turned around and followed him, demanding to see his identification, Melanie Walker says in the video. Jabari Walker then walked into the home to get his ID and shut the door behind him to keep the family’s dogs away from the officer, she says.

The video, which starts after the officer first asked for Jabari Walker’s ID, shows an officer standing in the family’s driveway and yard before speaking to him and his wife on their porch. As soon as a second Aurora police officer appears on screen, the first officer tells Jabari Walker he’s under arrest.

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“This is crazy. Over some snaps?” Melanie Walker says to the arresting officers.

“(Because) my kids were popping snaps from the dollar store?” Jabari Walker said as officers placed him in handcuffs.

Trick noisemakers known as "snaps," "snappers," "party poppers," "booby traps," "trick matches," "cigarette loads," and "auto burglar alarms" are legal to use on private property, according to the Illinois State Fire Marshal's office.

Throughout the 8-minute video, Melanie Walker demands to know why her husband is being arrested, but officers do not provide an explanation to her.

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After several minutes of not receiving a response from officers, she yells at them for an answer, the video shows.

“First of all, we’re going to talk rationally, and we’re going to use our inside voices, OK?” an officer says to her, before telling her, “When you understand the law, let me know.”

“I do understand the law because I’m not dumb,” Melanie Walker says.

“Apparently you don’t because you're not reciting it the proper way,” the officer responded.

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Jabari Walker was later charged with resisting arrest and child endangerment, according to his wife.

Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin and Police Chief Kristen Ziman dropped both charges against Walker on Wednesday morning after reviewing the arrest with the officer involved, according to a joint statement.

“While the officer had the authority to make the decision, we, along with him, are in agreement to use discretion and not pursue this matter further,” the statement reads.

Community activist Andy Williams Jr., who organized Sunday afternoon’s protest outside the Aurora Police Department, is set to lead another demonstration Wednesday. Williams said he started organizing Wednesday’s demonstration after learning of Walker’s arrest.

“We’re going to continue to take action whenever we see that there’s a cause. We’re not here to negotiate about humanity and doing what’s right,” Williams said. “And if (police officers) don't know how to do what’s right, they should be terminated from their job like any other job.”

The Aurora Police Department did not respond to Patch’s requests for additional information about Walker’s arrest or any disciplinary actions being taken against officers.

Note: Video contains profanity: