1 dead, more than 20 injured in shooting at birthday party in Ohio

A man died and more than 20 people were injured early Sunday in a shooting at a large birthday party in an Akron, Ohio, neighborhood, police said.

Detectives believe someone in a vehicle opened fire on partygoers just after midnight and that someone at the event may have returned fire, Police Chief Brian Harding said.

“Shortly after these calls came in, the call center received notifications from local hospitals that several people were arriving at the emergency room with gunshot wounds,” police said in a statement.

At least 25 people were shot, including a 27-year-old man who has since died. Two handguns and “several dozen shell casings” were recovered, police said.

Police previously said gunfire hit 27 people, including the deceased victim, but that some victims may have been counted twice, Harding said.

Harding said at a news conference Sunday evening that at least two of those hospitalized were in critical condition, with several others admitted for treatment for injuries and some treated and released.

The victims are aged 19 to 43, most in their 30s, he said.

No suspects were in custody and the motive was not immediately clear.

Police first went to the residence where the party was taking place around 10 p.m. Saturday after receiving reports of crowd noise and firecrackers, Harding said.

About 200 people were ordered to disperse, he said. But at midnight, he said, “the party started again.”

Shortly afterward, police returned to the home, about 40 miles south of Cleveland, after receiving reports of shots fired.

After the dust settled, it was clear that numerous shots had been fired, most from a vehicle, Harding said. “The scene was littered with spent shell casings,” he said.

“Multiple firearms were used,” Harding said. “One of them appears to be a gun.”

It was unclear whether gunfire hit anyone in the vehicle suspected of being involved in the attack, he added.

Police are hoping security video from the area and witnesses at the party could help them identify a suspect.

A $12,500 reward, including money pledged by the U.S. Marshals Service and a local Crime Stoppers organization, is being offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction.

“We’re imploring the community to come forward,” Harding said.

Callers who contact police with information can remain anonymous, police said.

In a joint statement, Harding and Mayor Shammas Malik said the city “is in shock after the devastation of senseless violence.”

“For those who have information about this horrific shooting, we need you to speak out in order to prevent further violence and retaliation,” the statement said.