At least one person was killed and 24 were injured in a shooting at Kelly Street and 8th Avenue in Akron just after midnight Sunday.
A 27-year-old man died in the incident, according to a statement from the Akron Police Department, and a Sama Health spokesperson said he was already dead when he arrived at the hospital.
Spokespeople for Cleveland Clinic Akron General and Akron City said one patient was reported in critical condition at each hospital.
Akron Police Lt. Michael Miller said he is not aware of any arrests made in connection with the shooting, and a preliminary investigation indicates it was a targeted incident.
“At this time we don’t believe there is any danger (to the public),” Miller said. “Inspectors are working around the clock to try to determine what happened, who was there, who was involved.”
According to Akron Beacon Journal’s news partner News 5 Cleveland, no suspects were in custody as of early Sunday morning.
Police responded to multiple 911 calls reporting shots fired and multiple people injured. Victims began being transported to local hospitals shortly thereafter.
A firearm and dozens of shell casings were recovered at the scene, according to Akron police.
Police initially said 27 people were shot, but later revised that number to 25.
Akron Mayor Shamas Malik and Police Chief Brian Harding released statements
Mayor Shamas Malik and Police Chief Brian Harding released a joint statement to the media on Sunday morning.
“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 loved ones.”
In their statements, Malik and Harding urged anyone with information about the shooting to contact police.
“We urge anyone with information about this horrific shooting to speak up to prevent further violence and retaliation,” the mayor and police chief said. “You may remain anonymous.”
Anyone with information is asked to call the Akron Police Department Detective Division at 330-375-2490 or Summit County Crime Stoppers at 330-434-COPS or text TIPSCO to 274637.
Cleveland Clinic announces lifting of lockdown at Akron hospital
A spokesman for Cleveland Clinic Akron General confirmed the hospital admitted seven patients, one of whom was in critical condition, after being shot early Sunday. The emergency department was placed on heavy lockdown shortly after midnight. The lockdown was lifted at 3:26 a.m.
Akron City Hospital admitted 15 patients.
Akron City Hospital spokesman said the hospital treated 15 patients at the shooting scene, including the man who died, 13 of whom had non-life-threatening injuries and several have been released or are in the process of being released.
more:How is a mass shooting defined in America?
Where is Kelly Avenue? In what neighborhood of Akron is it?
The shooting occurred in the area of Kelly Avenue in the city’s East Akron neighborhood, a residential area a few blocks south of Interstate 76, near Joy Park and the headquarters of the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company.
This follows a recent shooting in the Joy Park area.
At least three shootings have occurred in the Joy Park neighborhood of East Akron in the past two months.
- On May 21 at approximately 9:35 p.m., Akron Police responded to the 1400 block of Minson Way for a report of a shooting. Police said a 19-year-old man was shot in the torso and hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.
- Police were called to the scene of a shooting that left a 15-year-old girl with non-life-threatening injuries at Joy Park Homes on the evening of May 2. Police announced on May 16 that two teenagers have been arrested and charged in connection with the shooting.
- Police were called to the 400 block of Weeks Street around 4:37 a.m. on April 4 after a 35-year-old man was shot in the neck. Police said the man was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. A nearby home and car were also shot at.
Former city council member urges neighbors to speak out about crime
Tara Moseley Weems lives directly across from where the shooting happened Sunday morning. She said she heard multiple gunshots that sounded like they were coming from two different guns. Her camera captured images of people running, screaming and driving away from the scene.
Moseley Weems previously served as Akron’s 5th Ward city council member but has declined to run again for the position in 2023 for the Democratic mayoral nomination.
Moseley Weems said the large, one-night party, which she estimated drew about 100 people, was to celebrate the birthday of a local man she said she’d known since she was a child.
“He’s a very likeable young man. Very likeable, nice kid,” Moseley Weems said. “Everybody knows their family. Most of us have lived in the neighborhood our whole lives. All of us.”
Mosley Weems said police arrived at the party about 30 minutes before the shooting and asked partygoers to move their cars.
She said residents need to report violence, adding that her own home has been shot at twice in 2021.
“If you know something, please speak up. This is why I lobbied for Ring cameras to be installed in my neighborhood when I was a city council member.”
This is a developing story, check back for updates.
