Police report 25 individuals shot, 1 fatally, during chaotic Akron, Ohio street party

At least 25 people were shot, one fatally, when gunfire broke out early Sunday morning at a large street party in Akron, Ohio, authorities said.

The shooting erupted just after midnight in East Akron followed by numerous 911 calls from witnesses reporting multiple victims were struck by bullets, according to a joint statement issued Sunday morning by Akron Mayor Shammas Malik and Police Chief Brian Harding, who was sworn in last week to lead the department.

As police officers responded to the scene of the shooting, local hospitals reported multiple people arriving at their respective emergency rooms with gunshot wounds.

One victim, a 27-year-old man, was killed in the mayhem that occurred near the intersection of Kelly and 8th avenues, authorities told Cleveland ABC affiliate WEWS.

“This morning, our city is reeling after the devastation of senseless violence,” Malik and Harding said in their joint statement. “With more than two dozen victims, the pain and trauma reverberates across all of Akron today as we search for answers. As with all acts of violence in our city, our hearts are with the victims and their loved ones.”

A motive for the shooting was not immediately released. No arrests had been announced as of mid-morning Sunday, and no suspects were identified.

“We will bring those responsible to justice, and we need the help of our community to do that,” the mayor and police chief said. “For those who have information about this horrific shooting — we need you to speak up in order to prevent further violence and retaliation. This can be done anonymously.”

Witnesses told WEWS that multiple rounds of gunfire sent hundreds of people running for cover. One witness, who would only give her first name, Brittney, said the shooting broke out after the street party devolved into numerous street fights.

“There were people on the street fighting; women screaming at their men, like trying to pull them away,” Brittney told WEWS. “But at this point, it got too much out of hand. There were probably 20 to 30 men fighting in the street. So I wasted no time getting through there and out of there.”

Another witness told the station that the street party transformed from a fun event to a chaotic one in seconds.

“Everyone was wearing white T-shirts; there were women on top of vehicles dancing. It looked like a scene from a spring break movie. It looked like everyone was having a good time. On our way back, it was a completely different scene,” the witness said.

At least seven patients with gunshot wounds were admitted to Cleveland Clinic Akron General Hospital, including one in critical condition, hospital officials said. Following the shooting and the influx of patients, the hospital put its emergency room on a “hard lockdown” from just after midnight until 3:30 a.m., hospital spokesperson Joe Milicia told ABC News.

“That’s a common procedure when you have gunshot victims,” Milicia said of the lockdown.

Summa Health in Akron said it treated 15 patients Sunday morning, 13 of whom had non-life-threatening injuries. One person taken to Summa Health remained in critical condition, hospital officials said.

On the night of July 4th, chaos erupted at a street party in Akron, Ohio, resulting in a tragic incident where 25 individuals were shot, with one person losing their life. The violence unfolded in the early hours of the morning, leaving residents and authorities stunned by the scale of the incident.

According to police reports, the shooting occurred at a large gathering on a residential street in Akron. Witnesses described a scene of panic and confusion as gunshots rang out, sending partygoers running for cover. In the aftermath, 25 people were found to have sustained gunshot wounds, with one victim succumbing to their injuries at the scene.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the shooting, working to determine the motive behind the attack and identify those responsible. The sheer number of victims has presented a significant challenge for law enforcement, who are urging anyone with information to come forward and assist in the investigation.

The incident has sparked outrage and concern within the Akron community, with many residents expressing shock and disbelief at the level of violence that occurred. Community leaders have called for unity and solidarity in the face of such senseless acts, emphasizing the need for peace and cooperation in order to prevent further tragedies from taking place.

In response to the shooting, local officials have increased police presence in the area and are working to implement measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. The safety and well-being of residents is of utmost importance, and steps are being taken to ensure that events like this do not happen again.

As the investigation into the Akron street party shooting continues, authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward and assist in bringing those responsible to justice. The community is coming together to support one another in the wake of this tragedy, and efforts are being made to heal and move forward from this devastating event.