Akron officials are asking for help finding the suspect responsible for Sunday morning’s mass shooting in East Akron that left dozens injured and a 27-year-old man dead.
Here’s what we know about the shooting, including the identity of the deceased victim and the latest updates on the investigation:
What happened in Akron on Sunday?
Police responded to 911 calls shortly after midnight Sunday after reports of gunshots fired at a large gathering at Kelly and 8th Avenue.
About two hours before the shooting, Akron officers were dispatched to disperse the crowd of more than 200 people. Some people left, but others returned around midnight, shortly before the shooting.
When officers returned due to the shooting, they encountered a chaotic scene. There were still many people on the scene, some were shot and had to be transported to local hospitals. Dozens of shell casings and two guns were found on Kelly Avenue between 7th and 8th Avenues.
The evidence points to a drive-by shooting, Akron Police Chief Brian Harding said Sunday evening at a news conference with Mayor Shammas Malik. A vehicle with an unknown number of occupants arrived at the party and opened fire on the partygoers.
Some partygoers may also have fired back.
Who were the victims of this mass shooting?
The Akron man killed in the shooting has been identified as LaTeris Cook, according to the Summit County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Another 24 people were shot and treated at local hospitals, including Cleveland Clinic Akron General and Akron City Hospital. Two people were in critical condition on Sunday evening.
These victims ranged in age from 19 to 43, and most were in their 30s, Harding said.
No arrests yet in Akron shooting; rewards offered
Akron police made no arrests Monday morning. There are no details yet on suspects.
Summit County Crime Stoppers is offering a $5,000 reward for any information leading to an arrest. The U.S. Marshals Office is offering $7,500 and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is offering a $10,000 reward, bringing the total to $22,500.
Residents can help investigators anonymously by calling the Akron Police Department’s Detective Bureau at 330-375-2490, Summit County Crimestoppers at 330-434-COPS or by texting your tips to TIPSCO at 274637.
What was the reaction to the mass shooting in Akron?
The response to the latest shooting in Akron has horrified local residents and officials in Northeast Ohio.
“Our hearts, love and support are with the individuals affected by this horrific event,” said a Sunday evening tweet from the Cleveland Cavaliers. “We also send our thoughts and prayers 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.”
“I am grateful for the law enforcement officers who responded quickly to the scene, and I encourage anyone with information to contact authorities,” U.S. Rep. Emilia Sykes, D-Akron, said in a statement to the media on Sunday. afternoon. “Our community must work together to protect our neighborhoods from gun violence.”
What did Akron Mayor Shammas Malik say about the shooting?
“With more than two dozen victims today, the pain and trauma resonates throughout Akron as we search for answers,” Mayor Shammas Malik and Harding said in a joint statement. “As with all acts of violence in our city, our thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones.”
Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at ajthompson@gannett.com or on Twitter @athompsonABJ
This article originally appeared in the Akron Beacon Journal: Police still searching for suspects in Akron, Ohio mass shooting
