A shooting that unfolded in Akron early Sunday morning has left 24 injured and one dead, according to the Akron Police Department (APD).
APD said its 911 dispatch center received “several calls” just after midnight on Sunday, June 2 regarding shots being fired in the area of Kelly Ave. and 8th Ave. with multiple victims being reported as struck.
As officers were immediately dispatched and responded to the scene, APD’s dispatch center also received notifications from local hospitals that multiple victims of the shooting were arriving in the emergency departments with gunshot wounds.
Despite early reports of a slightly higher death toll, APD confirmed later Sunday morning that 25 victims were shot as a result of the shooting, with one being fatal.
Mass shooting in Ohio last night.
27 people shot at a block party in Akron.
This footage captures the audio as gunshots rang out.pic.twitter.com/gw9I6QU25g
— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) June 2, 2024
“The investigation is in its preliminary stages and more information will be provided as it becomes available. No further suspect or victim information is available at this time,” APD said, without revealing any information about the suspect or motive behind the crime.
News 5 Cleveland has since reported the shooting unfolded during a street party.
In the meantime, Akron Mayor Shammas Malik (pictured above, left) and APD Chief Brian Harding (pictured above, right) are urging community members with any information about the shooting to “speak up in order to prevent further violence and retaliation.”
“This morning, our city is reeling after the devastation of senseless violence. With more than two dozen victims, the pain and trauma reverberates across all of Akron today as we search for answers. As with all acts of violence in our city, our hearts are with the victims and their loved ones,” the mayor and police chief said in a joint statement.
“We will bring those responsible to justice, and we need the help of our community to do that. For those who have information about this horrific shooting – we need you to speak up in order to prevent further violence and retaliation. This can be done anonymously. Today, and in the days ahead, we will share more information about this horrific incident,” they added.
Ohio U.S. Senators JD Vance (R-OH) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) were among the elected officials who have since issued comments in response to Sunday morning’s shooting.
“Terrible situation in Akron last night. Our team is monitoring the situation and our hearts go out to everyone affected by this terrible shooting. We’re praying for everyone involved and that the death toll doesn’t rise,” Vance said in a post published to X.
Terrible situation in Akron last night. Our team is monitoring the situation and our hearts go out to everyone affected by this terrible shooting.
We’re praying for everyone involved and that the death toll doesn’t rise. https://t.co/GseSDBIsy3
— J.D. Vance (@JDVance1) June 2, 2024
Brown added in a post, “My thoughts are with the victims and those affected by the horrific shooting in Akron. My office has been in contact with local officials and we are continuing to monitor the situation. Grateful for the first responders who arrived on the scene quickly.”
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Ohio Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
Photo “Mayor Shammas Malik,” image “Police Chief Brian Harding,” and photo “Akron Police Department” by City of Akron.
Hmmm? Block party? Girls dancing on top of cars? Dozens of shell casings? I bet it was some of those MAGA terrorists.