An overnight mass shooting in Akron, Ohio, left a 27-year-old man dead and 24 others injured.
The shooting happened just after midnight after a party, where 911 dispatchers were told multiple people had been shot at, police said.
Shortly afterwards, many of the surviving victims were transported to nearby hospitals in private vehicles. USA today reported.
Police have not released the identity of the murdered man or any information about a possible suspect or motive.
Akron Mayor Shammas Malik and Police Chief Brian Harding released a joint statement calling on anyone who witnessed the shooting to come forward and provide any information they have so the perpetrator can be apprehended.
“This morning our city is reeling from the devastation of senseless violence. With more than two dozen victims today, the pain and trauma reverberates throughout Akron as we search for answers,” they said in the statement.
Police have not released the identity of the murdered man or any information about a possible suspect or motive.
Police have cordoned off the area where the shooting occurred and are investigating. Officers discovered multiple shell casings at the scene, as well as a single firearm, but no shooter
No arrests have been made at this time.
Officers discovered several shell casings and a single firearm at the scene, but the shooter had already disappeared.
A witness told it News 5 Cleveland that there were hundreds of people at the party near Kelly Street and 8th Avenue where the shooting occurred.
“Everyone wore white T-shirts; There were women dancing on top of vehicles. It looked like a scene from a spring break movie. It seemed like everyone was having a good time. On the way back it was a completely different scene,” the witness told the Ohio outlet.
Former City Councilwoman Tara Mosley Weems said the party celebrated the birthday of a local man she said she had known since she was a small child, USA Today reported.
Seven patients were admitted to the Cleveland Clinic and one of those patients is in critical condition. The hospital was on lockdown from just after midnight – when the shooting first broke out – until 3:30 am.
A separate clinic, Summa Health, said it had received 15 patients Sunday morning, 13 of whom did not have life-threatening injuries. Some of them have been released, but one of them is in critical condition
The police close this clinic to protect the shooting victims
Remaining bottles and cups can be seen near the scene of the early morning shooting on Sunday
Elected officials from Ohio and the Cleveland Cavaliers shared statements of condolence for the shooting victims
A separate clinic, Summa Health, said it had received 15 patients Sunday morning, 13 of whom did not have life-threatening injuries. Some of them have been released, but one of them is in critical condition, News 5 Cleveland reported.
Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb also released a statement this morning sympathizing with and praying for the victims, while also commenting on gun control policies.
“My heart is with Akron today. I am incredibly frustrated to see another community hurting, especially one so close to home. No one deserves this violence or to live in fear. I am convinced that all resources will be used to bring those responsible to justice. This is another reminder that we must never give up the fight to get guns off our streets and out of the hands of harmful actors,” Bibb said.
Ohio Representative Shontel Brown, who represents the Cleveland area in Congress, also released a statement after this shooting, saying the country needs “comprehensive gun safety legislation.”
‘People cannot live like this, for fear that they will not be safe at a neighborhood party, in church, at school or at work. As we wait for more details about this shooting, it is abundantly clear that we have a national problem,” Brown said.
Anyone with information about the case is told to contact detectives at 330-375-2490 or Summit County Crime Stoppers at 330-434-COPS.