Man accused of fatal shooting in Grace Park surrenders to investigators
A man accused of shooting a homeless man in Grace Park turned himself into police on Wednesday.
Akron police said Thursday that Hakim Mitcham, 25, of Akron confessed to shooting and killing Randall Proctor on Saturday.
Proctor, 58, was living at the nearby Haven of Rest homeless shelter. Police said he was sitting on a park bench when a man approached him from behind and shot him.
Police said Mitcham walked into the police station and surrendered to investigators at about 4:45 p.m. Wednesday. He was interviewed and confessed to killing Proctor, police said.
Detectives identified Mitcham as a person of interest after interviews and a canvass of the area. Police said a weapon possibly used in the shooting has been found.
Mitcham was charged with aggravated murder.
The killing left both the Haven of Rest and local homeless advocates worried.
The Rev. Jeff Kaiser, the agency's chief executive, said the killing has left them "shaken."
"Haven of Rest Ministries mourns over this tragic loss," Kaiser said in a prepared statement. "We have had the privilege over the past year to know and work with the man that lost his life. He was currently staying with us. A horrible event like this has both our guests and staff shaken and concerned. We know that having a place that is safe and clean can be hard to come by for a person experiencing homelessness, and that is why we are open every day to serve those in need."
Nick Cacioppo, spokesman for Serve The People Akron, said the group is saddened and concerned that another homeless person was killed. The grassroots group helps homeless people at Grace Park and elsewhere with food and other resources.
Cacioppo said homeless people are often victims of violence and vulnerable due to their lack of resources. He said more needs to be done to give homeless people safe housing and other resources in order to make them safe.
Reach Reporter Sean McDonnell at 330-996-3186 or smcdonnell@thebeaconjournal.com.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Grace Park Akron: Man accused of killing in park surrenders to police
