Community vigil held Sunday for victims of Akron mass shooting

Lina Portman4 weeks ago

0 2 minutes read

More than 100 people gathered Wednesday evening for a community vigil at Arlington Church of God for residents and families affected by Sunday's mass shooting.

More:At least 1 dead, 24 injured in Akron mass shooting at Kelly Avenue and 8th Avenue

Shortly after midnight Sunday, a birthday party at Kelly and 9th Avenue turned violent after 27 people were shot. One victim, LaTeris Cook, 27, of Akron, died.

The church hosted the vigil, while the Summit County Victim Assistance Program and ADM Board partnered to join the city in support.

The vigil began with prayers and singing.

Captain Mike Miller of the Akron Police Department spoke at the event, emphasizing the need to combat gun violence.

“We, as police departments, renew our commitment every day, before and since this tragedy, to reducing gun violence,” Miller said. “We have work to do.”

Miller described the need to build relationships between young people and police officers. Whether in schools or at community events, Miller said department leaders encourage officers to “start having simple conversations.”

“My colleagues in the police department, we share this passion for giving in and looking for opportunities to build bridges to have these discussions with young people,” Miller said. “I am committed to doing this work, the police department is committed to doing this work and we will continue to work with our community partners to do everything we can to limit and reduce gun violence.”

Judi Hill, president of the Akron NAACP, said she is “tired of being tired.”

“I learned of this tragedy on Sunday,” Hill said. “I immediately slumped down in my seat and said, 'Lord, have mercy,' and I immediately started crying because I knew people were grieving. The senseless death of a young man and so many others injured.”

Emerge Counseling Ministries President and CEO Robert Crosby brought out a few members of the organization to show their support for the community. He encouraged people seeking mental health services to contact him.

Emerge Counseling Vice President Dr. Donald Lichi said the organization completed all-day mental health support training with the Akron Police Department. “We have a unit specifically for trauma patients,” Lichi said. “We want to give victims hope for their future; we want them to know what they consider valuable.”

Tara Weems, former Ward 5 councilwoman, said it was crazy for someone to throw a birthday party. “This neighborhood is traumatized, my neighbors are traumatized. They don't even want to sit on the porch unless they see me sitting on the porch, and I don't want that for them,” Weems said. She agrees that gun violence issues need to be addressed and handled properly.

Lina Portman

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