AKRON, Ohio — Akron Mayor Shammas Malik and Police Chief Brian Harding on Monday held a press conference alongside other officials to provide an update on the June 2 mass shooting that left one man dead and 26 others injured.
According to Harding, the victim count in the mass shooting has risen to 28. A 36-year-old woman who was initially considered a witness was grazed in the arm three times.
"She initially went to a hospital but her injuries were severe enough to be seen right away ... and she did not seek additional medical treatment," Harding said.
Harding said the police department anticipates a more substantial update on the investigation "in the coming days."
In addition to those injured, the shooting claimed the life of 27-year-old Lateris Cook of Akron.
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.
“This fund will enable us to enhance our current services to ensure victims receive the comprehensive assistance they need to rebuild their lives,” said Leanne Graham, president and CEO of Victim Assistance Program. “I am grateful for the collaborative efforts, new partnerships, and access to funding that will holistically support victims of crime and trauma.”
Tracy Carter, Akron Community Foundation board member and co-chair of the committee overseeing the Gun Violence Response Fund, said the fund will help with victims' recovery and basic needs. Malik said the fund would also cover funeral expenses for Cook's family. The funding become available after June 17.
Malik announced the city council will introduce legislation to allocate $150,000 to the victim assistance fund. The Akron Community Foundation and United Way of Summit & Medina are contributing $25,000 each.
The mass shooting victims can call Victim Assistance Program 24 hours a day at 330-376-0040 to learn more about how the fund can assist them.
Malik said the fund could cover victims of incidents other than the June 2 mass shooting "to the extent we are able to" once the mass shooting victims receive what they need.
“I want to thank all the community partners who have come together to make this fund possible and the generosity of our seed fund donors,” Malik stated in a press release. “This funding will not only help the victims of the June 2 shooting here in Akron, but other gun violence victims in the future provided we have the funding. We are proud to have brought this group together.”
To contribute to the fund, click HERE.
Malik said in tragedies, "you see the best and worst of humanity."
"A shooting in which 28 people are shot is the worst of humanity," Malik said. “EMS, police and fire running into a situation in which it hasn't all been cleared is heroic work. The work of quietly attending to victims' needs is also heroic work, and we want to thank you."
DETAILS OF THE SHOOTING
The shooting took place during a block party in the area of Kelley and 8th Avenue. Early Sunday morning, Akron police told 3News their officers responded to the scene shortly after midnight 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 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 says will take about a month.
Police did not have any information to share about possible suspects or a suspect vehicle, though Harding said Monday investigators have received "a lot" of tips and are following leads. Officials did not want to speculate on a possible motive for the shooting.
Details surrounding any suspects connected to the shooting are unknown, but authorities are offering a $22,500 reward in their ongoing investigation.
Anybody with information about the shooting is asked to call the Akron Police Department Detective Bureau at 330-375-2490 or 330-375-2Tip. Tips can also be submitted to the Summit County Crimestoppers at 330-434-COPS.
A GRIEVING FAMILY
3News' Lydia Esparra spoke to the stepmother of Lateris Cook last week. 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."
3News Executive Digital Producer Ryan Haidet and Senior Digital Producer Dave DeNatale contributed.