Ohio’s police chief has urged witnesses to come forward with information after one person was killed and 24 were injured in a mass shooting shortly after Sunday midnight.
Officials said shots were reported early Sunday just after midnight in the city of Akron, where multiple victims struck by gunfire were reported. Local hospitals told emergency dispatchers soon afterwards that people were arriving in their emergency departments with gunshot wounds.
Captain Michael Miller, an Akron police public information officer, said Sunday morning that there were 25 total victims.
Some of the victims were in critical condition while others had injuries that were not life-threatening, Mr Miller said.
Among the victims was a 27-year-old man who was killed, police chief Brian Harding said. The identity of the person has not been released yet.
Cleveland Clinic told News 5 they admitted seven patients to the hospital early Sunday, with one in critical condition. The hospital was under a hard lockdown from just after midnight until around 3.30 am.
“This was a tragic incident which impacts our entire community,” Mayor Shammas Malik said. “The sheer number of victims is shocking and disconcerting. I want to be very clear: Anyone who was involved in last night’s shooting will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
Rewards totaling $22,500 for information leading to the arrest of a suspect were offered by three agencies: $5,000 from Summit County Crime Stoppers, $7,500 from the US Marshal’s Service and up to $10,000 from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Akron officials said.
“We have to hold people accountable when they commit violence. That’s the only way to keep our communities safe,” Mr Malik said.
Investigators found two handguns and more than 35 bullet shell casings at the scene of the outdoor party where the shooting took place, Mr Harding said.
Meanwhile, Summa Health told the outlet its hospital received 15 patients this morning. 13 of those victims had non-life-threatening injuries, with several already being released. One person remains in critical condition, the hospital said.
The outlet reported that a street party was happening in the area before the gunfire broke out. An unnamed witness at the scene told the station that hundreds of people were enjoying themselves with everyone in white T-shirts and “women on top of vehicles dancing.”
Authorities found a gun and several bullet casings on the scene, but have yet to arrest a suspect.
“My thoughts are with the victims and those affected by the horrific shooting in Akron,” Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown said in a statement. “My office has been in contact with local officials and we are continuing to monitor the situation. Grateful for the first responders who arrived on the scene quickly.”
According to reports, a street party was going on in the area before the gunfire broke out. Hundreds of people who were attending the party in white T-shirts were enjoying and “women on top of vehicles dancing”.
Additional reporting by agencies
