One man is dead and 24 others are injured after an early June 2 mass shooting at the intersection of Kelly and 8th avenues in East Akron. The shooting took place during a block party.
APD ‘imploring community to come forward’ as they search for suspects and vehicle involved
Updated 1:06 p.m. | By Signal Akron Staff
The police do not know if the shooter or the vehicle were hit by gunfire, and no vehicle description was provided. No arrests have been made, and Akron Police Chief Brian Harding said there is no suspect information to provide. He said police have received “a few initial leads” and are following up on them.
“We are imploring the community to come forward with anything you might know regarding this terrible incident,” he said.
Those with information can call APD’s detective bureau at 330-375-2490. Information can also be submitted anonymously the following ways:
- Call Summit County Crime Stoppers at 330-434-COPS
- Text “TIPSCO” and any relevant information to 274637
- Download the Akron PD app
- Use the tip form on APD’s website
“We believe there were dozens of people at the party at the time of the shooting, and potentially over 100 people who may have witnessed the incident. Every single person who may have seen something has an obligation to speak up in order to bring those responsible to justice,” Harding said. “Even a small detail can help us crack this case and locate the suspect or suspects involved. We have concerns about the possibility of retaliation, and are taking steps to prevent that and we need the community’s help.”
Local, state agencies working to prevent retaliation
Updated 1:05 p.m. | By Signal Akron Staff
Regarding fears of retaliation, Akron Police Chief Brian Harding said the police are working with community stakeholders and federal and state partners to prevent retaliation. He also said additional patrols are canvassing the area.
“I think we also are hoping to locate and apprehend a suspect as soon as possible to prevent any retaliation,” Mayor Shammas Malik added.
Malik acknowledged that work needs to be done to address the root causes of violence, before echoing Harding’s call for those with information to come forward. “There are a number of ways in which we are able to protect the anonymity of people who share information with us, but sharing information with us and helping hold people accountable when they do awful things, it’s a thing of honor, and it’s also each of our responsibilities,” he said.
When asked about the community’s lack of trust in law enforcement and how the police department plans to address the issue in this case, Harding said by developing relationships with people and partnering “with credible messengers and others in the community.”
He added, “But absolutely, we need to continue to develop those relationships and build bonds with the community. That’s who we’re here to support, and we’re taking that work very seriously.”
Malik said his administration is focused on accountability and transparency. “We recognize the gaps in trust that are there. We’re not trying to shy away from them or hide away from them. But we all as a community need to address the gun violence going on in our community.”
Police chief: Dozens of shells left on the scene
Updated 12:10 p.m. | By Signal Akron Staff
Akron Police Chief Brian Harding said officers “recovered in excess of 35 shell casings from multiple different weapons,” adding that one of them appeared to be a rifle. Two handguns were recovered at the scene, but because of the variety of shell casings, Harding wasn’t sure how many weapons were involved.
Harding said the layout of the shell casings “is consistent with someone driving by shooting out of a car.” He went on to say the police department believes that some people at the party returned fire “based on physical evidence at the scene.”
Reward increases for information leading to shooting arrest
Updated 11:50 a.m. | By Signal Akron Staff
As of Monday morning, the total reward for information that leads to the identification, arrest and successful prosecution of a suspect is at $22,500. This includes up to $10,000 from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; $5,000 from Summit County Crime Stoppers; and $7,500 from the U.S. Marshall’s Office.
U.S. approaching 200 mass shootings in 2024
Updated 11:40 a.m. | By Signal Akron Staff
The early morning shooting that took place Sunday marked the 193rd mass shooting this year in the United States, according to the Gun Violence Archive.
“We know that this country has a gun violence epidemic and that this is the latest in a long line of incidents we have seen across the nation,” Akron Mayor Shammas Malik said at Sunday evening’s press conference.
While what constitutes a mass shooting varies depending on the source, the Gun Violence Archive defines it as “a minimum of four victims shot, either injured or killed, not including any shooter who may also have been killed or injured in the incident.” This is the same definition the Congressional Research Service used in a 2013 report.
Akron resident killed early Sunday morning named
Updated 11:05 a.m. | By Signal Akron Staff
The person shot and killed early Sunday morning was Akron resident LaTeris Cook, 27, according to records obtained by Signal Akron.
Cook was one of 25 people shot at the large gathering on Kelly Avenue. Akron Police Chief Brian Harding said on Sunday evening that two additional people were in critical condition.
Pastor knows 2 people impacted: ‘Devastated by it’
Updated 11 a.m. | By Signal Akron Staff
Pastor Shiloh Johnson of Kingdom Restoration Church said Sunday afternoon two people she is close with were in critical condition after the shooting.
Their medical condition on Monday morning was unknown.
“I’m devastated by it,” said Johnson, an Akron native.
“We’re living in a time now that we can’t be out and really celebrate like we used to. You have to be mindful of who is around.”
Johnson was one of dozens of Akron-area faith leaders who attended a communion worship service at The Faith Place in the Sherbondy Hill neighborhood. Clergy emphasized the importance of coming together to support the victims and their families.
