Akron police have released photos of six suspects they’re searching for in connection to the July 7 shooting at Mason Community Learning Center.
According to their Facebook page, police are looking for any information in regard to the persons of interest. If you have any information, contact Akron Police Detective Bureau at 330-375-2490; the APD tip line at 330-375-2TIP; or the Summit County Crimestoppers, Inc. at 330-434-COPS (2677). You can also text TIPSCO with your tips to 274637 (CRIMES). Callers can remain anonymous.
The Beacon Journal made the decision not to publish the suspects’ photos. See the police’s post, linked here, to view the suspects’ photos.
What happened at Mason CLC?
Five people were shot and at least 10 were struck by vehicles fleeing the school parking lot at 700 E. Exchange St. after 3 a.m., Akron Lt. Michael Murphy said.
More than a hundred people, including many teenagers, were partying in the parking lot just before the shooting, Murphy said. Some of the same teens were gathered at the Waffle House on South Arlington Road in Springfield Township before local police scattered the crowd that eventually ended up at Mason CLC.
Murphy said that after the Waffle House gathering was broken up, it was his understanding that the group moved to Hudson and then ended up at Mason CLC.
He classified the Mason CLC crowd as a “large gathering.” He said “there were people dancing, just hanging out.” As far as how word spread and how the crowd grew to as many as 100 people, Murphy said police weren’t sure if a social media post was circulated, or whether it was word of mouth.
100 Black Men of Akron issue ‘call to action’ on July 14
Lt. Murphy and other members of the organization, including 100 Black Men of Akron President Eufrancia Lash, Garfield football coach and Love Akron Executive Director Kemp Boyd, Ed Smith, Marcus Bentley, Akron Fire Chief Leon Henderson and President Emeritus Michael Irby, joined together at Mason CLC on July 14 for a press conference to address ongoing concerns about youth violence in Akron.
Lash asked any organizations, leaders, and citizens of the community who believe in the transformative power of unified action to form an alliance with the 100 Black Men organization and its services.
“I ask that you not view this from a critical or a competitive lens, but that you consider the collaborative and constructive opportunities that exist, and that may come out of this by encouraging and promoting a unified approach,” Lash said. “We know that the excellence and isolation is insufficient. We know that other organizations throughout the cities share our same commitment and our passion. Together, we possess a collective strength to create lasting change.”
Anthony Thompson contributed to this report.
Anthony Thompson contributed to this report. Alisson Toro-Lagos is a reporter for the Beacon Journal. She can be reached via email at atorolagos@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron police searching for 6 suspects in connection to July 7 shooting at Mason CLC
Reporting by Alisson Toro-Lagos, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
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