An incident of violence occurred in Ohio overnight, resulting in one fatality and twenty-four injuries on Saturday. Police reported that the shooting took place shortly after midnight near Kelly and 8th Avenues in Akron, south of Cleveland.
A 27-year-old man was discovered deceased, although his identity has not been disclosed. No suspects have been apprehended or identified by law enforcement.
Prior to the shooting, there was a street gathering in the area, according to police. A witness described a festive atmosphere with hundreds of people in white T-shirts, women dancing on vehicles, resembling a scene from a party movie, before gunshots disrupted the event.
Police found numerous bullet casings and a firearm at the scene, as depicted in photos by Mike Vielhaber, a photojournalist for Scripps News Cleveland.
Mike Vielhaber / Scripps News Cleveland
Reports from the Cleveland Clinic indicate that seven individuals were admitted to the hospital in critical condition, with one currently in critical condition. The hospital was on lockdown until early morning.
Summa Health received fifteen patients, thirteen of whom had non-life-threatening injuries. Some have already been discharged, while one remains critical.
A joint statement from Akron Mayor Shammas Malik and Police Chief Brian Harding expressed sorrow over the violence and pledged to prioritize public safety and address gun violence in the community.
“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. Our hearts are with the victims and their loved ones.
We are committed to bringing the perpetrators to justice and urge the community to come forward with any information. The safety of our citizens is paramount as we strive to eliminate gun violence.”
Individuals with details about the incident are encouraged to contact detectives or Summit County Crime Stoppers. Tips can be submitted anonymously online or via text.
Editor’s note: Initial reports indicated 27 victims, but the official statement from city officials revised the count to 25, inclusive of the deceased individual.
This article was originally written by Drew Scofield and published by Scripps News Cleveland.
