A shooting at a street party in Akron on Saturday night left a 27-year-old man dead and 25 others injured, two critically.
Akron police and fire officials, along with Mayor Shamus Malik, held a press conference Sunday night. Police Chief Brian Harding said the shooting appears to have been a drive-by shooting at a birthday party on Kelly Avenue and 8th Street that spread into the street.
At around 10 p.m., police responded to a home where a birthday party was taking place. Approximately 200 people had gathered, but police asked participants to leave the street due to heavy traffic.
Police said people returned to the party between 10 p.m. and midnight, and police began receiving reports of gunfire shortly after midnight.
Police said two handguns and multiple types of shell casings were found at the scene, including rifle shells.
Watch for updates from city, police, fire and security officials on Sunday evening.
Akron city officials hold press conference after 24 people shot, 1 killed in overnight shooting
Police said there were at least 35 shell casings at the scene, matching what a News 5 reporter saw at the scene shortly after the shooting.
Video taken by News 5 cameraman Mike Feelhaber shows police and 38 evidence signs on the ground.
Akron police process evidence at nighttime shooting scene
Police said it is unclear at this time how many shooters there are and they have not identified any suspects.
No arrests have been made.
The identities of those who died have not been released.
24 shot, 1 killed in overnight shooting in Akron
A witness at the scene, one of the few people willing to talk after the shooting, told News 5 hundreds of people were enjoying the party before shots were fired.
“Everyone was wearing white T-shirts and women were dancing on top of cars. It looked like a scene from a spring break movie. Everyone seemed to be having fun. On the way back it was a completely different scene,” an eyewitness said.
Police said dispatchers received multiple 911 calls reporting multiple people had been shot in the area, and gunfire victims began being transported to nearby hospitals shortly thereafter.
Police said the victims ranged in age from 19 to 43.
Cleveland Clinic said it had admitted nine patients early Sunday, including one in critical condition, and the hospital was on heavy lockdown from just after midnight until about 3:30 a.m.
Cleveland Clinic said Sunday evening that one patient was hospitalized in a general ward after surgery, another was in intensive care in serious condition after surgery, and three were treated in the emergency room with non-life-threatening injuries and then released.
Sama Health said the hospital admitted 15 patients this morning, 13 of whom have non-life-threatening injuries, several of whom have already been released, and one who remains in critical condition.
City leaders, law enforcement search for answers
Akron’s mayor and police chief have issued an urgent call for people to speak out about a deadly shooting at a street party.
Nearly 24 hours after the shooting, with no suspects and few clues, city leaders have made desperate pleas to community members and those who were at the party.
“There are people out there who know people involved, and we urge you to speak up,” Akron Mayor Shamas Malik said.
The City of Akron has offered a $22,500 reward for information leading to the identification, arrest and indictment of the suspect.
The shooting happened in the East Akron neighborhood where former Ward 5 City Councilwoman Tara Moseley Weems lives.
“This whole street where they had a block party,” Mosley Weems said.
However, surveillance cameras at her home captured gunshots and screams.
Footage from Mosley Weems’ doorbell camera captured the moments leading up to the shooting. caveat: This video may be difficult to watch for some viewers.
Doorbell camera footage of Akron shooting
“It looked more like a war zone than Akron,” Moseley Weems said.
Police said officers first went to Kelly Avenue and 8th Street late Saturday night after hearing noise and fireworks.
Police said about 200 people took to the streets.
However, the crowd began to disperse.
Police returned to the scene more than an hour later, after 911 dispatchers began receiving calls about the shooting and emergency rooms began filling up.
“There were spent shell casings scattered around the scene, most of them handgun caliber bullets,” Akron Police Chief Brian Harding said.
Harding said the placement of shell casings made it appear to be a drive-by crime. Two handguns were recovered at the scene.
“We believe some individuals at the party may have fought back,” Harding said.
“The number of casualties is very high, shocking and deeply worrying,” Malik said.
Four of the injured were relatives of Juanita Tucker.
“It was my nephew’s birthday party. He has a party every year and obviously someone was looking for an opportunity to come and damage things and hurt people,” Tucker said.
Fears of retaliation are growing.
Malik said he wanted to make an arrest quickly before that happens.
“We have a lot of detectives on patrol, we’ve added additional patrol units in the area and we’re also working with our federal and state partners to add more patrol units,” Harding said.
The chief and mayor said they recognize the community’s distrust of police and are committed to building relationships.
“That’s why we have multiple ways for people to remain anonymous and why we’re asking for information,” Harding said.
City leaders said there may be more than 100 people who witnessed the incident and they hope they will come forward to say what they saw.
News 5 reporter Elizabeth VanMeter visited the hospital Sunday morning to provide an update.
Mayor issues statement
Malik and Harding released the following joint statement about Sunday morning’s shooting:
“This morning, our city is reeling from the devastation of senseless violence. With more than 20 victims, the pain and trauma is reverberating throughout Akron as we search for answers. As with every act of violence that occurs in our city, our hearts are with the victims and their families.”
We will bring those responsible to justice, but we need the community’s help to do so. If you have information about this horrific shooting, please speak up, even if you remain anonymous, to help prevent further violence and retaliation.
“Today and in the coming days, we will be sharing more information about this horrific incident. Our city government and the Akron Police Department continue to prioritize public safety as we strive to eliminate gun violence in our community.”
Reactions from the victim’s family
Security was tight at Akron General Hospital and Sama Health as they were inundated with patients.
“It felt like my heart dropped into my stomach,” said Latika, the sister of one of the victims.
Latika’s sister was shot in the leg during the party.
“It’s really shocking to hear because this is not something she’s really interested in,” Latika said.
Latika and her mother were unable to travel to the hospital to see her sister due to the lockdown.
“She was just in terrible pain and couldn’t believe what had happened,” Latika said.
She was able to talk briefly with her sister about the party before the shooting.
“She said she was just having fun and doesn’t really understand why it happened,” Latika said.
Latika’s sister is expected to make a full recovery. The majority of family members were able to come to the hospital to pick up their loved ones.
Condolences are sent
Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb
“My heart is with Akron today. It is extremely frustrating to see another community suffer, especially one so close to home. No one should suffer this kind of violence or live in fear. I am confident that every resource is being devoted to bringing those responsible to justice. This is another reminder that we must never give up in the fight to get guns off our streets and out of the hands of dangerous individuals. But I hope that we can move beyond this reminder to action and finally put an end to the senseless violence that plagues our community. I thank the emergency responders who acted without hesitation in Akron last night. My prayers go out to all the families and community members affected.
Cleveland Cavaliers
“We are horrified and saddened to learn of the tragic shooting that occurred early this morning in Akron, Ohio. Our hearts, love and support are with the victims of this horrific incident. Our thoughts and prayers also go out to their families and friends and the entire Akron community. These senseless acts of gun violence have no place in our communities here in Northeast Ohio.”
Senator Sherrod Brown (Democrat, Ohio)
“My hearts go out to the victims and those affected by this horrific shooting in Akron. My office is in contact with local authorities and continues to monitor the situation. I would like to thank the emergency responders who quickly arrived on the scene.”
U.S. Senator J.D. Vance (R-Ohio)
“A terrible situation occurred last night in Akron. Our teams are monitoring the situation and our hearts go out to everyone affected by this horrific shooting. We are praying for all involved and that the death toll does not rise.”
Congressman Emilia Sykes (Ohio’s 13th Congressional District)
“I am heartbroken that this senseless act of violence occurred in our Akron community. My thoughts and prayers go out to the victim and her family, as well as the entire community as we work to uncover the truth behind this senseless act of violence. I would like to thank the officers who quickly responded to the scene and urge anyone with information to contact authorities. Our community must work together to protect our neighborhoods from gun violence. My office will continue to monitor this situation as we learn more about this tragedy and will assist as needed.”
U.S. Congressman Shawntel Brown (OH-11)
“This Sunday, my prayers go out to those injured and their families, and to all those affected by this horrific incident in Akron. I thank all of the emergency responders and medical professionals for their work last night. The pain of gun violence continues to be felt throughout Northeast Ohio, but it is sickening to have another mass shooting so close to home. People cannot go about their lives fearing they will not be safe at their neighborhood party, their church, their school or their workplace. As we await the details of this shooting, it is clear we have a national problem – and it has been for decades. We need comprehensive gun safety legislation, including strengthening background checks, closing loopholes that allow dangerous individuals to continue purchasing guns, and banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. The new bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which I sponsored, must be fully implemented to crack down on gun trafficking and provide additional resources to communities affected by gun violence. “We can solve this problem, and we owe it to our voters to listen to the bipartisan majority calling for legislative action.”
Police call for help
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact detectives at 330-375-2490 or Summit County Crime Stoppers at 330-434-COPS. You can also text TIPSCO and your tip to 274637 or leave a tip online on the police website by clicking here
Editor’s note: Police initially said the total number of victims, including the deaths, was 27. A statement from the mayor’s office put the total number of victims, including the deaths, at 25.
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