24 shots, 1 dead in shooting in Akron

Akron police are investigating an overnight shooting that left 25 people injured by gunfire, including a 27-year-old man who was killed.

Akron Mayor Shammas Malik and Akron Police Chief Brian Harding issued the following joint statement on Sunday morning regarding the shooting:

No arrests were made.

The identity of the deceased was not disclosed.

According to authorities, the incident occurred shortly after midnight near the corner of Kelly Avenue and 8th Avenue.

According to police, emergency services received several calls reporting that numerous people in the area had been shot. Shortly afterwards, the first victims of the shooting arrived at nearby hospitals.

Officers discovered dozens of cartridge cases and a firearm at the crime scene, but no suspects could be identified.

In photos taken by News 5 photographer Mike Vielhaber, police can be seen with 38 evidence markers on the ground.

Mike Vielhaber | News 5 Cleveland

According to police, a street party was taking place in the area before the shooting.

At this time, we do not know if this was a mass shooting or a shooting or what circumstances led up to it. We are working to find out more.

A witness at the scene told News 5 that hundreds of people were at the party having fun before the shots were fired.

“Everyone was wearing white T-shirts, there were women standing on the roofs of the cars dancing. It looked like a scene from a spring break movie. It looked like everyone was having fun. But on the way back the scene was completely different,” said the witness.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, seven patients were admitted to the hospital early Sunday morning. One of these patients is in critical condition. The hospital was under strict lockdown from shortly after midnight until about 3:30 a.m.

Summa Health said its hospital admitted 15 patients this morning, 13 of whom had non-life-threatening injuries. Some of those people have already been discharged from the hospital. One person remains in critical condition.

Condolences pour in across Ohio

Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb

“My heart goes out to Akron today. I am incredibly frustrated to see another community suffer – especially one so close to home. No one deserves this violence or to live in fear. I am confident that every means will be used to bring those responsible to justice. This is another reminder that we must never give up the fight to get guns off our streets and out of the hands of harmful actors. But I hope we can go beyond the reminders and take action to finally put an end to the senseless violence plaguing our communities. I am grateful to the first responders who acted without hesitation in Akron last night. My prayers are with every family member and community member affected.”

The Cleveland Cavaliers

“We are horrified and devastated to learn of the tragic mass shooting that occurred in Akron, Ohio in the early hours of this morning. Our hearts, love and support go out to those affected by this horrific event. Our thoughts and prayers also go out to their families, friends and the entire Akron community. These senseless acts of gun violence have no place in our community here in Northeast Ohio.”

US Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH

“My thoughts are with the victims and those affected by the horrific shooting in Akron. My office is in contact with local authorities and we continue to monitor the situation. I am grateful to the first responders who were quickly on the scene.”

US Representative Emilia Sykes (OH-13)

“I am devastated to see this senseless act of violence in our Akron community. My heart and prayers are with the victims, their families, and our entire community as they try to make sense of this senseless act of violence. I am grateful to the law enforcement officers who quickly arrived on the scene, and I encourage 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.”

US Rep. Shontel Brown (OH-11)

“This Sunday, my prayers are with the injured, their families, and all those hurt and injured by this horrific event in Akron. Thank you to all the first responders and medical professionals for their work last night.” “Gun violence continues to be a problem throughout Northeast Ohio, and it is sickening to witness another mass shooting so close to home. People cannot live like this, in fear of not being safe at a street fair, church, school, or work. As we wait for more details on this shooting, it is abundantly clear that we have a national problem — and have had for decades.” “We need comprehensive gun safety legislation to tighten background checks, close loopholes that continue to allow dangerous individuals to purchase guns, ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, and more. We must ensure the new bipartisan Promoting Safer Communities Act I voted for is fully implemented so we can combat gun trafficking. We also need to provide more resources to local communities ravaged by gun violence. “We can solve this problem, and we owe it to our constituents to listen to the bipartisan majority demanding legislative action.”

Police ask for information about the case

Anyone with information on the case is asked to contact detectives at 330-375-2490 or Summit County Crime Stoppers at 330-434-COPS. You can also text your TIPSCO and a tip to 274637 or leave a tip online on the department’s website by CLICKING HERE.

Editor’s note: Police initially told us that there were 27 victims in total, including the fatality. The mayor’s office press release states that the total number of victims, including the deceased person, is 25.