Nighttime shooting on Ohio street leaves 1 dead, 24 others injured

AKRON, Ohio (AP) — Akron's mayor and police chief have called on witnesses to come forward with information about who carried out a mass shooting in the Ohio city that left one person dead and injured 24 others, some seriously.

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

No arrests were immediately reported.

A 27-year-old man died, Police Chief Brian Harding said. The identity of the victim was not immediately released.

The injured ranged in age from 19 to 43, Harding said.

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

“We need to hold people accountable when they commit violence. This is the only way to keep our communities safe,” he said.

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

Investigators found two handguns and more than 35 bullet casings at the scene of the outdoor party where the shooting took place, Harding said.

Police said several victims hit by gunfire were reported. Local hospitals notified emergency dispatchers soon after that people were arriving in their emergency departments with gunshot wounds.

Capt. Michael Miller, Akron police public information officer, said Sunday morning there had been 25 total victims, including one person who died. Miller said Sunday afternoon that at least two injured victims remained in critical condition; others had injuries that were not considered life-threatening.

WEWS-TV reported that a street party was taking place in the neighborhood before the gunfire erupted, and an anonymous witness at the scene told the station that hundreds of people were having fun with everyone world in white T-shirts and “women on the roof of vehicles”. dancing.”