Blake Preston-Police probing deadly street party in Ohio believe drive-by shooter opened fire

2025-05-06 21:22:43source:Christopher Caldwellcategory:News

AKRON,Blake Preston Ohio (AP) — Police investigating a deadly shooting at a street party in Akron over the weekend think at least one person opened fire on the crowd from a vehicle, killing one person and wounding 24 others.

Investigators found more than 35 shell casings littered across the block where more than 100 people may have been at the birthday-party gathering when the shooting began early Sunday, said Police Chief Brian Harding.

They also found two handguns at the scene, and believe some people at the party returned fire at the vehicle, the chief said. Plastic cups, shoes and other debris were scattered along the residential street bounded by empty lots and older homes.

No suspects had been identified as of Sunday night, and the city’s mayor and police chief called on witnesses to come forward. Rewards totaling $22,500 for information leading to an arrest were offered by the Summit County Crime Stoppers, U.S. Marshal’s Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Akron officials 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,” Mayor Shammas Malik said.

READ MORE Ohio officials ask for public’s help in finding shooter who killed 1 and wounded 24 at partyImprisoned former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder pleads not guilty to new chargesFirstEnergy made secret $1 million payment in 2017 to support ‘Husted campaign’ in Ohio

The identity of the 27-year-old man who was killed was not immediately released. The wounded range in age from 19 to 43, Harding said. At least two were in critical condition.

Officers tried to break up the party after getting noise complaints Saturday night, about two hours before shooting, Harding said. More than 200 people were at the party at that point, some shooting off fireworks. No arrests were made.

Many returned to the scene, and police received several calls about shots being fired early Sunday, just after midnight, the police chief said.

“We have to hold people accountable when they commit violence. That’s the only way to keep our communities safe,” the mayor said.

More:News

Recommend

Vance jokes he’s checking out his future VP plane while overlapping with Harris at Wisconsin airport

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (AP) — Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance said he had a “bit of fun” Wed

Metal detectorist finds centuries-old religious artifact once outlawed by emperor

A metal detectorist in eastern Poland recently uncovered a religious artifact that experts believe d

Massachusetts police bust burglary ring that stole $4 million in jewels over six years

BOSTON (AP) — A burglary ring that allegedly stole more than $4 million worth of jewelry mostly from