AKRON, Ohio — Akron Mayor Shammas Malik and Akron Police Chief Brian Harding provided an update on the investigation into last month's deadly mass shooting, plus other public safety issues, during a news conference on Tuesday.
While police have yet to make any arrests in the shooting, Harding noted that his detectives have spent 2,500 hours investigating the case, conducting "an excess of 100 interviews." The chief added that his department is working closely with federal, state, and local agencies "to coordinate the activities around this case."
The mass shooting happened during a block party in the area of Kelly Ave. and 8th Ave on June 2. The city announced earlier this month that the number of victims from the shooting stands at 29, including the fatal victim, 27-year-old Lateris Cook of Akron.
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.
"We do have eyewitness statements that confirm the white SUV was the vehicle that initially started the shooting," Harding noted on Tuesday. "They describe that vehicle pulling up slowly with the window going down and the male that was in the driver's seat started shooting."
Harding added that investigators have received over 85 leads about the shooting.
"We remain confident that we will find the person responsible for the beginning of this tragedy," he said.
Here are some additional items from Tuesday's briefing...
POLICE STAFFING
Malik announced that amid staffing challenges, the Akron Police Department will soon be getting some much-needed help.
A total of 44 new officers are currently finishing up their police academy training and are set to graduate on Aug. 16. The city has also received 688 applicants for first-time police officers and plans to have another full academy class in 2025.
In addition, Malik said the city has received 82 applicants for lateral transfer to the Akron Police Department. There will be a seven-week, fast-track academy for selected applicants this fall.
Harding said there are currently 418 Akron police officers on staff, but the city has budgeted for 488. City leaders hope that the fall's lateral transfer class will get the department's staffing closer to that goal.
"Public safety is and will continue to be the top priority for this administration," Malik said during his remarks.
GUIDANCE FOR BLOCK PARTIES, COMMUNITY EVENTS
Akron police Sgt. Michael Murphy announced that the city has created guidelines for how the community can safely gather. This includes block parties as well as those functions designated as "community events."
Click here to read the rules for block parties.
Click here for community events rules.
GUN VIOLENCE RESPONSE FUND UPDATE
Summa Health's Tracy Carter announced that a total of $264,455 has been raised so far to support the victims of the mass shooting. Click here to find out how you can make a donation.
You can watch Tuesday's briefing in its entirety below.