Another arrest in Summit County shooting investigation

PEOA, Summit County – A man who allegedly used an AK-47 in a shootout between two groups at a large party in May has been arrested.

Jose Carlos Mendez-Villa, 25, was booked into the Summit County Jail on Thursday, where he faces five counts of use of a firearm causing personal injury.

Mendez-Villa’s arrest is the latest in connection with the May 19 incident at a large Peoa estate that sits on 450 acres and is available for rent for events. That night, investigators say, several hundred people were attending a party on the property when two groups got into a fight. That led to a shootout outside the estate that was captured by several security cameras.

“The video shows several adult males firing at a group of partygoers with various types of handguns and an AK-47 style weapon. Several victims and witnesses were identified who personally knew the shooters from previous interactions and altercations,” a police affidavit said.

Mendez-Villa was identified as one of the shooters based on the videos, police said.

“Carlos can be seen behind the front of a vehicle firing an AK-47 weapon at a group of people involved,” the affidavit states. “Surveillance video shows Mendez physically attacking other people involved and later shooting at the same people.”

Detectives executed a search warrant at Mendez-Villa’s residence and seized several firearms, ammunition and firearm accessories.

At least two people suffered non-life-threatening injuries at the party, and at least five others were arrested.