- The shooting happened around midnight during a raucous party in Akron
- At least two people are in critical condition, but most left the hospital
- Police haven’t released information on a suspect or a possible motive
An overnight mass shooting in Akron, Ohio, left a 27-year-old man dead and 24 others injured.
The shooting occurred just after midnight after a party, where 911 dispatchers were told multiple people were fired upon, police said.
Soon after, many of the surviving victims were transported to nearby hospitals in private vehicles, USA Today reported.
Police have not released the identity of the man who was killed, nor have they released any information about a possible suspect or motive.
Akron Mayor Shammas Malik and police Chief Brian Harding released a joint statement calling on anyone who witnessed the shooting to come forward and give all the information they have so the perpetrator can be apprehended.
‘This morning, our city is reeling after the devastation of senseless violence. With more than two dozen victims, the pain and trauma reverberates across all of Akron today as we search for answers,’ they said in the statement.
Police have not released the identity of the man who was killed, nor have they released any information about a possible suspect or motive.
No arrests have been made at this time.
Officers discovered multiple bullet casings at the scene, as well as a single firearm, but the shooter was already gone.
A witness told News 5 Cleveland that there were hundreds of people at the party near near Kelly and 8th avenues were the shooting took place.
‘Everyone was wearing white T-shirts; there were women on top of vehicles dancing. It looked like a scene from a spring break movie. It looked like everyone was having a good time. On our way back it was a completely different scene,’ the witness told the Ohio outlet.
Seven patients were admitted to the Cleveland Clinic and one of those patients is in critical condition. The hospital was in a lockdown from just after midnight – when the shooting first erupted – until 3:30am.
A separate clinic, Summa Health, said it received 15 patients Sunday morning, 13 of whom don’t have life-threatening injuries. Some of them have been released, but one of them is in critical condition
Leftover bottles and cups are seen near the scene of the early morning shooting on Sunday
A separate clinic, Summa Health, said it received 15 patients Sunday morning, 13 of whom don’t have life-threatening injuries. Some of them have been released, but one of them is in critical condition, News 5 Cleveland reported.
Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb also released a statement this morning sympathizing and praying for the victims, while also striking a note on gun control policy.
‘My heart is with Akron today. I’m incredibly frustrated to see another community in pain—especially one so close to home. No one deserves this violence or to live in fear. I am confident that every resource is being deployed to bring those responsible to justice. This is yet another reminder that we must never give up the fight to get guns off our streets and out of the hands of harmful actors,’ Bibb said.
Ohio Representative Shontel Brown, who represents the Cleveland area in Congress, also released a statement following this shooting, saying that the country needs ‘comprehensive gun safety legislation.’
‘People can’t live like this, fearful they won’t be safe at a block party, church, school or work. While we await more details on this shooting, it is abundantly clear we have a national problem,’ Brown said.
Anyone with information about the case is being told to contact detectives at 330-375-2490 or Summit County Crime Stoppers at 330-434-COPS.