One person is killed and 24 others injured in a nighttime shooting on an Ohio street

AKRON, Ohio (AP) — Akron’s mayor and police chief have appealed for witnesses to come forward with any information about the perpetrator of a mass shooting in the Ohio city that left one person dead and 24 others injured, some seriously.

“This was a tragic incident that affected our entire community,” Mayor Shammas Malik said of the shooting, which occurred shortly after midnight Sunday. “The sheer number of victims is shocking and disturbing. I want to be very clear: everyone involved in last night’s shooting will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”

No immediate arrests were reported.

A 27-year-old man died, said police chief Brian Harding. The identity of the victim was not initially disclosed.

The injured were between 19 and 43 years old, Harding said.

Two agencies – Summit County Crime Stoppers and the U.S. Marshal’s Service – are offering a total of $12,500 reward for information leading to the arrest of suspects in connection with the shooting, Malik said.

“We must hold people accountable when they commit acts of violence. This is the only way we can ensure the safety of our communities,” he said.

Police said the investigation was still in its early stages and asked anyone with information to call detectives.

At the scene of the outdoor party where the shooting occurred, investigators found two handguns and more than 35 bullet casings, Harding said.

Police said several gunshot victims were reported. Local hospitals notified emergency dispatchers shortly afterward that people with gunshot wounds were being admitted to the emergency room.

Captain Michael Miller, spokesman for the Akron Police Department, said Sunday morning that there were 25 total casualties, including one person who died. Miller said Sunday afternoon that at least two injured people were in critical condition; others had injuries that were not considered life-threatening.

WEWS-TV reported that a street party was taking place in the area before the shooting. An anonymous witness at the scene told the station that hundreds of people were having fun. Everyone was wearing white T-shirts and “women were dancing on top of cars.”