AKRON, Ohio — As Akron police continue investigating the mass shooting where 25 people were shot in the area of Kelly Avenue and 8th Avenue early Sunday morning, we've now learned the name of the 27-year-old man who was killed.
In an update provided shortly before 9 a.m. Monday, the Summit County Medical Examiner's Office identified the victim as Lateris Cook from Akron. Cook's stepmother tells 3News that 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."
McDowell and Cook's brother Dallas described him as "the life of the party" who was loved deeply by his family. Dallas admitted he and Lateris were polar opposites, but also described him as "like my twin."
"I'm used to being able to call my brother, at least," Dallas said. "I can't do that (any)more. I can't see my brother, can't here his voice, nothing, so they took a huge part of me."
Added McDowell, "We should not be burying him right now."
During a press conference Sunday evening with Akron Mayor Shammas Malik and Police Chief Brian Harding, it was announced there were 24 other victims ranging in age from 19 to 35 with gunshot wounds — two of which were reported in critical condition.
You can watch Sunday's full press conference in the video below:
No suspects have been arrested in connection with the mass shooting, but authorities are now offering a $22,500 reward for information in the case.
Officials also said at least 35 shell casings "from several different types of guns" were recovered at the scene -- including shell casings from a rifle.
Details on shooting
Earlier 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.
Initial reports from police early Sunday morning said there were 27 total gunshot victims. A statement issued hours later from Mayor Malik and Chief Harding, however, lowered that number to 25 -- which includes a 27-year-old man who has been confirmed dead.
Two firearms and several dozen casings have been recovered from the scene, police said.
Details surrounding any suspects connected to the shooting are unknown.
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.
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