Akron, Ohio – The Akron community was left devastated by a tragic mass shooting that occurred shortly after midnight on Sunday, resulting in the death of a 27-year-old man and leaving 24 others injured. The Gun Violence Archive defines a mass shooting as an incident in which at least four victims are shot or killed, not including the shooter. This incident has sparked memories of past mass shootings in Summit County, shedding light on the ongoing issue of gun violence in the region.
One such incident dates back to October 29, 1983, when four college students were wounded in a drive-by shooting in Akron as they returned from a Halloween party. Another tragic event took place on September 5, 1993, when a gunman went on a deadly rampage in South Akron, killing a woman and wounding three others. A notable shooting occurred on August 7, 2011, in Copley Township, where Michael Hance killed seven people and wounded a woman during a 10-minute shooting spree.
In April 18, 2013, four people were found shot to death in a townhouse in Akron, leading to convictions for the perpetrators involved. Fast forward to July 14, 2016, a gunman opened fire on a memorial vigil in Akron, resulting in one death and three injuries. More recently, on June 26, 2019, four people were shot during a home invasion in South Akron, including a fatal victim and a wounded young boy.
Gun violence continued to plague Akron in subsequent years, with multiple shootings leaving individuals injured or killed. The incidents serve as a grim reminder of the prevalence of gun violence in the area and the ongoing efforts to address this critical issue. As the community mourns the recent mass shooting and reflects on past tragedies, the need for effective measures to combat gun violence remains a top priority for residents and authorities alike.