AKRON, Ohio (WOIO) – Akron Police asked the community for help after 25 people were shot and a 27-year-old man died in a mass shooting early Sunday morning.
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Police have made no arrests in the mass shooting and they have no details on suspects in the investigation.
“I want to be very clear. Anyone who was involved in last night’s shooting will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” said Mayor Shammas Malik.
Akron Police Chief Brian Harding told 19 News detectives will work around the clock to make arrests in the case.
“We have received a few initial leads and were following up on those,” said Chief Harding. “We are working with stakeholders, additional patrols and resources.”
Officers responded to the area of Kelly Avenue at the intersection of 8th Avenue just after midnight after several people called 911 to report shots fired with multiple victims struck.
In a press conference Sunday evening, Akron Police said the ages of the victims ranged from 19 to 43 years old.
Police responded to a party of over 200 people in the same location early Saturday evening.
Police say the party dispersed, but nearly 100 people returned to the party later into the night around midnight.
Police believe the suspect(s) was shooting out of a car at the partygoers. Some of the partygoers also returned fire.
On scene, police recovered two handguns and over 35 shell casings. Some of those casings were from a rifle.
A spokesperson for Summa Health said they received 15 patients and 13 suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
One patient is in critical condition and the 27-year-old man was pronounced dead on arrival. Out of the 13 patients with non-life-threatening injuries, several have already been discharged.
“Our thoughts are with the victims and their families. I want to thank our first responders and caregivers for everything they did to care for our patients and community,” said Summa Health spokesperson Mike Bernstein.
Cleveland Clinic Akron General admitted nine patients with gunshot wounds. One patient is in critical condition. Three were treated for non-life-threatening injuries and released. The Emergency Department was put on hard lockdown shortly after midnight and later lifted at 3:26 a.m.
One partygoer was shocked by the violence.
“We’re outside, enjoying ourselves, and the next thing you know, we’re running for our lives. That fast. A lot of people out there but there wasn’t no drama, no commotion, no fighting. Nothing. I don’t know why,” said Joyoux Payne. “We were all just out here having fun, we’re all dancin’ everybody listening to music and next thing you know, the gunshots went off as we’re all dancing, As we’re all enjoying ourselves, there’s bullets are ringing out. How? Why? That fast.”
Akron mayor Shammas Malik also released a statement on the shooting.
Police Chief Brian Harding and Mayor Malik implored the community at the Sunday evening press conference to send in any information they have.
Crimestoppers and the U.S. Marshals are offering a $22,500 reward for any information leading to the arrest of a suspect(s).
If you have any information, you can call Akron police at 330-375-2490 or 330-375-2Tip.
You can also call Summit County Crimestoppers at 330-434-COPS.
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