The Akron Police Department has identified a vehicle it believes took part in the June 2 shooting in East Akron where 28 people were shot during a large birthday party, including one fatally.
Akron Mayor Shammas Malik and Police Chief Brian Harding distributed two grainy screenshots of a video showing parts of the vehicle they believe was involved — a white SUV with dark-tinted windows. The vehicle appeared to travel south on Kelly Avenue after the shooting, which occurred just after midnight.
The vehicle description marks the first publicly announced update since the shooting and the first information released to the public about who could have been involved.
The lack of arrests was a significant factor in the cancellation of last weekend’s Juneteenth events in the city, as some Akron City Council members feared violence because the shooter or shooters may still be in the community.
“The Akron Police Department is working diligently on this investigation, and this update brings them one step closer to solving this case,” Malik said in a statement. “We continue to encourage anyone with any information about the identified vehicle or this shooting to please come forward.”
Police previously confirmed that at least one party-goer returned fire, that at least 45 shell casings were recovered, and that those bullets appeared to be fired by at least five different guns.
It is unclear how many of the 28 gunshot victims were hit by the initial shooter or shooters and how many were hit when others returned fire.
The city is asking people with information about the shooting, including who was in the white SUV, to call the detective bureau at 330-375-2490. Anonymous reporting can be done through Summit County Crimestoppers at 330-434-COPS, by texting TIPSCO with information to 274637,or by downloading the Akron PD app.
