Akron Street Party Turns Deadly: One Killed, 24 Wounded

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Written By Angela Angela

 

 

 

 

 

Authorities in Akron, Ohio, need help finding the people responsible for a shooting that killed one man and injured 24 others during a big street party.

Akron Police Chief Brian Harding said police stopped a birthday party with about 200 people around 10 p.m. Saturday because it was causing problems. The party started again, and just after midnight, police got calls about gunshots at the same place on Kelly Avenue.

It seemed like a drive-by shooting, and some people at the party shot back, according to Harding. Investigators are not sure how many shooters there were or how many guns were used, but they found two handguns and think a rifle was also used.

The area was covered in bullet casings from pistols, Harding said.

The man who died was 27 years old, but his name was not released. Two other people are in critical condition, and the injured are between 19 and 43 years old, with most in their 30s.

Police got many 911 calls about the shooting, and some victims went to hospitals in their own cars. There have been several shootings in the area recently.

No suspects are in custody, so police are asking for witnesses to come forward. Harding said up to 100 people may have seen what happened.

“We are asking the community to tell us anything they know about this terrible incident,” Harding said. “We are worried about more violence and are trying to stop that. We need the community’s help.”

Mayor Shammas Malik said at the news conference that anyone involved in the shooting or who tries to get revenge will be caught and punished. He also spoke about the increase in violence and the ease of getting and using weapons.

“The level of violence in our community and in communities across the country is too much,” Malik said. “We need to make sure people who commit violence are held responsible.”

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