Story by Justin McMullen, 3News
Editor’s note: This story was updated to include a statement from Akron Mayor Shammas Malik.
An Akron police officer fatally shot a 54-year-old man while investigating an alleged stolen car overnight Saturday in Akron’s Kenmore neighborhood, police said.
According to a press release from the Akron Police Department, officers observed what they said was a stolen car in the parking lot of a gas station in the 2200 block of East Avenue at around 1:04 a.m. Saturday.
One of the officers fired two rounds at the suspect, later identified as a 54-year-old man, “during the course of the incident,” according to the release.
Police said the officers “immediately” rendered first aid to the man, including “applying at least one chest seal.” The man was pronounced dead at the scene.
A loaded gun was recovered by the police from inside the car — no details were available from the release about whether the man attempted to us it during the encounter.
Police did not provide any further information about the 54-year-old man’s identity pending further investigation.
According to the police department, the officer who fatally shot the suspect had been an Akron police officer for two-and-a-half years. The officer has been placed on paid administrative leave per department procedure as the shooting is investigated. The department did not identify the officer.
The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigations responded to the scene and will handle the investigation. BCI’s findings will be turned over to Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost’s office for review before being submitted to the Summit County Grand Jury.
The Akron Police Department said its standards and accountability office would conduct a separate internal investigation into the shooting, with the results provided to Police Chief Brian Harding and Police Auditor Anthony Finnell for review.
Akron Mayor Shammas Malik, released a statement Sunday afternoon.
“When an incident such as this occurs, it is tragic for our city, and everyone impacted, especially when a life is lost,” the mayor said.
“Officer-involved shootings are often highly nuanced and complex, and some of the toughest situations for a community to grapple with. More information will be released in the coming week, including the body-worn camera footage of the incident, so that we as a community can develop a clearer picture of what transpired.
“My thoughts are with the family of the deceased and with our officers.”
