The Akron Police Department was criticized at a community meeting Tuesday for its handling of a man seen around town on Monday carrying a rifle strapped to his back.
The topic dominated Akron Councilman Russ Neal’s monthly Ward 4 meeting at Lawton Street Community Center. Outcries arose from the crowd of about 70 people, the majority of whom were black.
The man with the rifle was white. He was identified by police as Daniel Kovacevic. He was also seen near schools and the University of Akron campus with the rifle.
Police said they approached Kovacevic, who told them it was his “God given right to bear arms.” They allowed him to continue on his way.
“You can’t prevent something like this if the guy is within his rights,” said Councilman Michael Williams. “You can’t violate someone else’s rights if you’re feeling uncomfortable.”
Ohio is one of 31 states that allow the open carry of firearms without possession of a permit or license.
Many expressed their apprehension about the incident and their concerns about underlying racial issues.
“A lot of the times, we’re looked at as subhuman. Tamir Rice is dead,” said attendee Stephen Muhammad referring to the 12-year-old black boy who was shot by a white police officer in Cleveland a year ago. “My hope is we can have a real conversation with police enforcement. We have a fractured community that needs to be repaired.”
“I’m very concerned, and I’m fed up. I’m sick and tired of our kids dying in the street,” said Deanna Rice. “We all know we have racial problems in the city and we need a solution.”
“We need to quit being reactionary, there are meetings [here] every month. Where have you been?” Neal said to the crowd. He encouraged people to push for laws that would prevent similar incidents.
“This group has moved to get other legislation changed,” said Neal. “It’s the same thing with this, but it’s a longer process.”
Police representatives addressed some of the residents’ concerns and explained state laws on gun control.
“We know this is so foolish,” said police Capt. Sylvia Trundle. “When we got the call of a man with a gun, we were responding full-bear, but he was very mindful of his rights and what he was doing.”
Trundle said Kovacevic was within legal rights and could not be arrested for inducing panic because it was not his intention.
Kovacevic’s Facebook page has multiple posts on the right to bear arms, as well as one that says “Christians are free to make positive changes to government.”
Community members showed racial concerns throughout the day on social media as more people learned about the incident.
“Tamir Rice was only 30 miles down the road from us and had a ‘fake’ gun and you saw how that turned out,” said Vell Rob in a comment on Ohio.com.
Theresa Cottom can be reached at 330-996-3216 or tcottom@thebeaconjournal.com.