CLEVELAND, Ohio – Akron residents and officials say they are reeling after a man was killed and two dozen people were injured during a shooting early Sunday at a large party.

Police said they received calls just after midnight that gunshots were fired at Kelly and 8th avenues on the city’s East Side. Officers later learned several victims had been taken to local hospitals to be treated for gunshot wounds.

SUMMIT COUNTY, Ohio (WOIO) – Akron police are investigating a mass shooting that happened early Sunday morning in the area of Kelly and 8th Avenues.

Reaction to deadly mass shooting in Akron

Officers responded to the area just after midnight after several people called 911 to reports shots fired with multiple victims struck.

As officers were heading to the scene, hospital staff reported multiple people were arriving at the emergency room with gunshot wounds.

According to police, a total of 25 people were shot and a 27-year-old man was killed. His name has not been released.

A spokesperson for Summa Health said they received 15 patients and 13 suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

One patient is in critical condition and the 27-year-old man was pronounced dead on arrival. Out of the 13 patients with non-life-threatening injuries, several have already been discharged.

“Our thoughts are with the victims and their families. I want to thank our first responders and caregivers for everything they did to care for our patients and community,” said Summa Health spokesperson Mike Bernstein.

Cleveland Clinic Akron General admitted seven patients with gunshot wounds. One patient was in critical condition. The Emergency Department was put on hard lockdown shortly after midnight and later lifted at 3:26 a.m.

Neighbors told 19 News the shootings took place at a very large birthday party.

“We just heard like fireworks. I thought it was the Fourth of July, Then I seen cars and I seen everybody running. “I was petrified. Petrified. I was scared for my life. I got kids. What if that would have been me?” said Jehovah Jones.

“We’re outside, enjoying ourselves, and the next thing you know, we’re running for our lives. That fast. A lot of people out there but there wasn’t no drama, no commotion, no fighting. Nothing. I don’t know why,” said Joyoux Payne. “We were all just out here having fun, we’re all dancin’ everybody listening to music and next thing you know, the gunshots went off as we’re all dancing, As we’re all enjoying ourselves, there’s bullets are ringing out. How? Why? That fast.”

One firearm and several dozen casings have been recovered from the scene, said police.

Akron Mayor Shammas Malik and Akron Police Chief Brian Harding released the following statement:

“This morning, our city is reeling after the devastation of senseless violence. 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.

We will bring those responsible to justice, and we need the help of our community to do that. 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.

Today, and in the days ahead, we will share more information about this horrific incident. Our city government and our Akron Police Department will continue to prioritize public safety as our number one concern as we aim to end gun violence in our community.”

There are no arrests and anyone with information is asked to call Akron police at 330-375-2490 or 330-375-2Tip.

You can also call Summit County Crimestoppers at 330-434-COPS.

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On May 17, Debby Dayton passed away after a life filled with love and meaning. She was a woman of strength and conviction. She was born December 25, 1949 to Larry and Ruthy Friedman in Paterson, New Jersey. In 1959 the family, which then included brothers Rob and Joe, moved to Cleveland, Ohio, dooming Debby to a lifetime of sports futility. Nonetheless, she continued to root for the Indians, Browns and Cavaliers throughout her life. Debby graduated from The Ohio State University 1971 with a BA in education. She got her first job teaching English at John Hay High School in Cleveland, where, for 7 years she helped 10th-12th graders appreciate the nuances of Shakespeare, Jane Austin and Ernest Hemingway. From 1978 to 2001, she taught at Thomas W. Harvey High School in Painesville. While there, she met fellow teacher Jim Dayton, and, six months later – eschewing the advice she often gave her students – they married. As retirement loomed, Debby was reluctant to leave the many students she knew needed a helping hand. So she became a certified guidance counselor, and, for the next 17 years, she worked at LEAF, helping high school students make wise choices about college and life. Along with a career devoted to making a difference for her “kids,” Debby was an avid gardener, turning her backyard into a serene oasis. She loved travel, food, music and sports. But above all, she loved her friends and her family: her husband, Jim: his two sisters, Janet and Lois; her brothers, Rob and Joe and their spouses Mindy and Maria; her nieces Natalie (Alex), Grace (Mirza), and Nina (fiancé Lucas); her nephew Peter; grandniece Rose and her grandnephew Kasim. As she did with her students, she had a profound impact on all of their lives. Her kindness, wisdom, generosity, sense of humor and love will be sorely missed. There will be calling hours for Debby on Saturday, June 8, 2024 from 4-7PM at Johnson Funeral Home and Crematory, 368 Mentor Ave., Painesville, Ohio 44077. Memorial contributions are suggested to LEAF at www.leaf-ohio.org. Online condolences available at www.johnsonfuneralservices.net