A birthday celebration in Akron, Ohio, ended in tragedy over the weekend when a mass shooting resulted in one fatality and 25 injuries, including two people critically injured. Authorities have announced a $22,500 reward for information leading to an arrest as they investigate the incident.
Footage from a neighbor’s doorbell camera and witness reports revealed the chaotic aftermath when shots were fired at an outdoor party that police had earlier dispersed on Saturday night.
In a joint statement on Sunday, Akron Mayor Shammas Malik and Police Chief Brian Harding expressed their grief over the violence, saying, “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.”
According to Chief Harding, the sequence of events began when police broke up a large birthday party around 10 p.m. due to fireworks and loud noises. The party, attended by over 200 people, resumed after the police left. Just after midnight, reports of gunfire started coming in from the same location.
“The scene was littered with spent shell cases,” Harding said during a news conference, noting that most were pistol caliber rounds. He added that the distribution of shell cases suggested a drive-by shooting. Police suspect that some partygoers might have fired back at the assailant, although it is unclear if the shooter or their vehicle was hit. Investigators have not determined the number of shooters involved but have recovered two handguns and believe a rifle was also used.
A doorbell camera captured the shooting, with the sound of multiple gunshots and people screaming as they fled the scene, and cars speeding away. Joyous Payne, a 21-year-old party attendee, described the sudden terror that struck as everyone was enjoying themselves. “You don’t expect to go from having fun to having to run for your life,” she told the Akron Beacon Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network.
Payne recalled that there was no fighting or drama at the party before the shooting began, turning the joyous event into chaos, with some people getting trampled in the panic. Another attendee, Treasure Bell, 31, recounted seeing a man with a bullet wound to his face.
A 27-year-old man died from his injuries upon arrival at the hospital, according to the Akron Beacon Journal. The mayor’s office reported that the victims’ ages ranged from 19 to 43, with most in their 30s.
Authorities are urging anyone with information about the shooting to contact the Akron Police Department Detective Bureau at 330-375-2490 or 330-375-2TIP. Anonymous tips can be provided by calling Summit County Crimestoppers at 330-434-COPS or by texting TIPSCO to 274637.
