August shootings: 6 people dead, 9 injured in Akron from gun-related incidents
Gunfire in August killed at least six people and injured nine more in the city of Akron, raising concerns about gun violence among kids and teens in community.
Five teens and kids were injured, including two at Lane Field Park, while one teen was shot to death on Aug. 16 and a 4-year-old accidentally shot himself on Saturday, dying three days later, according to Akron Police Department.
"It seems like everyone has put forth solutions," said the Rev. Jaland Finney, a pastor at Second Baptist Church on Main Street who has spent the last few years responding to crime scenes to console victims and their families.
He said he's heard over and over again, "'We're doing to do this,' or 'We're going to do that.'"
"It's politically correct to say you're going to do something about violence," he said. "But what? This is deeper than just throwing money at an organization. This is deep. It's really deep. It's children."
The toll of gun violence includes incidents outside of Akron like the Interstate 77 fatal shooting that resulted in a crash and the shooting death of Richard Luft Jr.
Akron murders: Murders down in Akron during first half of 2023. What is the city doing to reduce violence?
The city has recorded roughly 35 gun-related homicides as of Aug. 31, according to Summit County Medical Examiner data. March saw the most homicides with eight. August had six.
Most recently, two men died after a Wednesday afternoon shooting on Cole Avenue in South Akron. The 20-year-old man and 32-year-old man with a gunshot wound to the upper body died later that day.
Here is a rundown of the seven most recent August shootings that resulted in at least one death or injury.
Double shooting
When police arrived at the scene Wednesday, they found the 20-year-old with a gunshot wound to the head. He was pronounced dead at 8:40 p.m. at Summa Akron City Hospital.
The second man had an apparent gunshot wound to the upper body. He died at 5:21 p.m. at Cleveland Clinic Akron General.
Investigators believe there was a possible altercation leading up to the shooting but the exact circumstances surrounding the incident are unknown, police said.
Full story: 2 men dead after double shooting on Cole Avenue in South Akron
Fatal crash could be connected to shooting
A 28-year-old man was shot in the face on the 800 block of Eller Avenue Tuesday night, according to Akron police.
He was hospitalized for non-life-threatening injuries.
The victim told police he was walking on Eller Avenue when three men confronted him. During the ensuing altercation, he was shot and three suspects fled on foot.
Police are investigating whether this is related to a canceled high-speed chase that occurred after the shooting involving a stolen red Kia Forte that later crashed, killing one of its occupants.
Full story: 1 dead, 2 injured after Akron police pursue stolen vehicle possibly connected to shooting
Four-year-old dies after accidental shooting
Police said a 4-year-old identified as Isaiah Pope died three days after he accessed an unsecured gun and apparently accidentally shot himself.
The incident occurred Saturday at a home along Edmeyer Court. Isaiah was pronounced dead at 8:44 p.m. Tuesday.
Full story: Akron 4-year-old who accidentally shot himself Saturday has died
Two teens, one adult injured
A 17-year-old female was arrested and charged Saturday with shooting two women aged 18 and 43 and a 19-year-old male who returned fire.
The three were transported to area hospitals for non-life-threatening injuries.
Police said the circumstances of the incident are not yet known, but preliminary information from the scene points to an altercation resulting in an exchange of gunfire.
Full story: 5 kids, teens injured, 1 killed in Akron shootings since Aug. 16
Teen, child injured in Lane Field Park shooting
Roughly 10 to 15 shots rang out at Lane Field Park at around 4 p.m. Aug. 20 shortly after a pee wee football game, wounding a 19-year-old and seriously injuring a 7-year-old.
Community members expressed outrage in the days after the shooting by gathering at the Vernon Odom Boulevard park. Hundreds attended two prayer circles that signaled community support for the impacted families.
The Sunday football league canceled the following week's games after the shooting.
A 16-year-old teen was arrested in connection to the shooting and was charged with two counts of felonious assault and tampering with evidence.
A 37-year-old woman at the home also was charged with having weapons under disability after a second handgun was found in her bedroom. The charge accuses a person of having a gun when forbidden because of a previous felony conviction.
Teen killed in North Hill shooting
A 23-year-old man was injured and East football player Antenio Louis, 17 of Akron, died following an afternoon shooting on Aug. 16 in Akron's North Hill neighborhood.
The incident occurred near East Glenwood Avenue and Dan Street when a vehicle pulled in front of Louis and the 23-year-old and opened fire into their car.
Full story: Teen killed after Akron North Hill shooting identified; 23-year-old man wounded
Eight Street Southwest murder
Dakinga York, 40 of Akron, was arrested and charged with murder in the shooting death of Veronica Bell, 45, of Akron.
Family members said Bell tried to break up an altercation before leaving the house. That's when York is accused of shooting her in the back multiple times.
Bell was pronounced dead three days later.
Full story: 'She didn't deserve this': Suspect charged in shooting death of 45-year-old Akron woman
Anyone with information regarding any of these cases is encouraged to call the Akron Police Department Detective Bureau at 330-375-2490 or 330-375-2Tip. Citizens may also provide anonymous information to any of the following:
The Summit County Crimestoppers, call 330-434-COPS. Text TIPSCO with tips to 274637.
Download the Akron Police Department's app and submit information by texting Tips411 or by accessing the link on our website, www.AkronCops.org.
Doug Livingston contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: 6 people dead, 9 injured in Akron from gun violence in August
