Akron officer disciplined for not searching teen who shot, killed self in police custody in 2017

An officer involved in the arrest of 17-year-old Xavier McMullen, a teen who shot and killed himself while in police custody last August, has been docked three days pay, according to a discipline letter sent to Akron police officer Devin Ray.

The letter states: 

Your actions on Aug. 25, 2017, whereby you did not perform a thorough search of a suspect caused you to violate the following rule and procedure of the Akron Police Department:

Rule 1200.01

While making arrests, offers shall strictly observe the laws of arrest and current procedures.

P-2007-010 Transportation and Prisoner Control Procedure (II A4)
No prisoner shall be placed into a vehicle until he has been searched.

McMullen had been placed in the back of a police cruiser just minutes prior in connection with a robbery that happened earlier in the evening.

Authorities said the teen was handcuffed behind his back when officers placed him inside the cruiser. 

Soon after, officers heard a shot come from one of the patrol cars. When they returned to the vehicle they found the teen fatally injured, with a gun lying next to him.

RELATED: Teen shoots and kills self while in Akron police custody

Eyewitnesses told News 5 the teen was never searched before being placed in the backseat.

The Summit County Medical Examiner ruled McMullen's cause of death as a gunshot wound to the head. The manner of death was ruled suicide.