AKRON, Ohio — The Akron Police Department is continuing its investigation into last month's deadly mass shooting.
On Friday, police officials told 3News that the number of victims in the shooting has risen to 29. That number includes the fatal victim, 27-year-old Lateris Cook of Akron.
Akron police add that they are continuing to follow up on leads and the number of victims continues to be "fluid."
Here's what we know about the case:
DETAILS OF THE SHOOTING
The shooting took place during a block party in the area of Kelly and 8th Avenue shortly after midnight on June 2. Akron police told 3News their officers responded to the scene amid several calls of shots fired.
“Shortly after those calls came in, the call center received notifications from local hospitals that multiple persons were arriving in the emergency departments with gunshot wounds,” according to Akron police.
According to Akron Police Chief Brian Harding, investigators recovered 45 shell casings from at least five different firearms at the scene. Three handguns were taken from the scene, while at least one person at the party fired back. The guns are being processed for DNA, which Harding said would take about a month.
The victim count in the mass shooting rose to 28 as of June 10. A 36-year-old woman who was initially considered a witness was grazed in the arm three times.
City officials announced a victim assistance fund has been established by the Akron Community Foundation to help cover medical bills and other expenses for the injured, in collaboration with the Summit County nonprofit Victim Assistance Program and other community organizations.
In addition, the fund would also cover funeral expenses for Cook's family
A GRIEVING FAMILY
3News' Lydia Esparra spoke to the stepmother of Lateris Cook after the shooting. Kalandra McDowell said that Cook was the father of four children, with a baby girl on the way, and that he wasn't even at Sunday's party for more than 45 minutes.
"You can’t fix a broken heart," Kalandra McDowell said of losing her stepson. "You can put a Band-Aid on a lot of things, but you can't put it on a broken heart. That can't be fixed. There's a lot of broken hearts around here right now."
SUSPECT VEHICLE PHOTOS RELEASED
Following interviews with numerous people, reviewing tips and analyzing evidence, Akron police released photos of a suspect vehicle connected with the shooting on June 18.
Officials believe that the suspect vehicle is a white SUV with dark-tinted windows. Following the shooting, the suspect vehicle allegedly traveled southbound on Kelly Avenue.
HOW YOU CAN HELP THE INVESTIGATION
Details surrounding any suspects connected to the shooting are still unknown, but authorities are offering a $22,500 reward in their ongoing investigation.
“The Akron Police Department is working diligently on this investigation, and this update brings them one step closer to solving this case,” said Akron Mayor Shammas Malik. “We continue to encourage anyone with any information about the identified vehicle or this shooting to please come forward.”
Anyone with information on the mass shooting is asked to contact Akron police at 330-375-2490 or 330-375-2Tip. Additionally, anonymous information can be provided to the following:
- The Summit County Crimestoppers
- 330-434-COPS
- Text TIPSCO with your tips
- 274637
- Download the Akron PD app and submit information by texting Tip411
3News' Ryan Haidet, Anna Meyer, and Justin McMullen contributed to this story
Previous Reporting:
- Akron prepares for Fourth of July following recent safety concerns in city
- Akron mass shooting update: Police release pictures of suspect vehicle
- Akron mass shooting update: Victim count rises to 28, city announces victim assistance fund
- 27-year-old man killed in Akron mass shooting identified
- Mass shooting in Akron leaves 1 dead, 2 in critical condition with 25 total victims: Reward worth $22,500 now offered for information