AKRON, Ohio — A 15-year-old boy who was armed with an Airsoft gun is in custody following a fight outside of John R. Buchtel Community Learning Center (Buchtel CLC) in Akron on Friday afternoon.
According to the Akron Police Department, the fight broke out at around 3:25 p.m. and involved at least three male teens.
As members of the Akron Public Schools' Safety Team moved in to break up the fight, they saw one of the teens had what appeared to be the end of a rifle concealed and sticking out of his waistband. As Safety Team members informed the school resource officer (SRO), who called for emergency assistance on the radio, two of the teens reportedly fled the scene on foot.
The SRO and Safety Team members worked to restrain the teen, who tried several times to reach for his gun. Finally, additional Akron police officers arrived at the scene and helped place the 15-year-old into custody. The arrested teen was not a student at Buchtel CLC.
Akron police report that the recovered rifle turned out to be an AR-style Airsoft pistol with an inserted, loaded magazine with .223-type ammunition.
The teen sustained minor injuries during the fight and was taken to Akron Children's Hospital for treatment. He later told officers he was kicked in the head and upper torso.
Police say the teen faces multiple charges pending the outcome of an investigation. Akron Public Schools will also conduct a joint review of the incident and work to help identify the others involved in the fight.
Pending the outcome of the investigation, the teen faces multiple charges. APS will conduct a joint review of the circumstances surrounding the incident and work to identify the other subjects involved.
Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Akron Police Department Detective Bureau at 330-375-2490 or 330-375-2Tip. You can provide anonymous information to Summit County Crimestoppers at 330-434-COPS, text TIPSCO with your tips to 274637, or download the Akron PD app and submit information by texting Tips411.