Akron city and safety officials held a news conference Monday afternoon to provide updates regarding the June 2 shooting that left one person dead and dozens injured during an East Akron street party.
Watch the full news conference:
According to Akron Police Chief Brian Harding, the number of victims in the June 2 shooting is now at 28. This comes after the city initially said 27 people were shot, then changed it to 25 and then back to 27.
Harding said the 28th victim was initially interviewed as a witness, and authorities were unaware she had been injured. Harding said the woman was grazed three times in the arm by bullets. She initially went to a hospital for treatment, but as the injuries weren't bad enough for immediate treatment, she was referred somewhere else and then didn't seek additional treatment.
Harding said they anticipate having a more "substantial update" in the coming days.
Akron Mayor Shammas Malik said that the city is creating a Gun Violence Response Fund to help the victims of the shooting. The city is partnering with the Akron Community Foundation and Victim Assistance and other agencies like United Way of Summit and Medina to get the fund going.
Malik also addressed overall gun violence in Akron during the news conference.
"Gun violence is a huge issue in our community and in many cities across the country. It's something that has been a high priority for me and for our new administration, and it will continue to be," Malik said. "This fund is not about funding violence prevention or intervention; it's not about city government initiatives. This is about providing support to victims."
Malik said the city will continue to fund those types of other initiatives, but the new fund is being set up to specifically help victims of gun violence.
"This specific fund is something for our community to rally around, to help the victims of this tragedy we are dealing with," Malik said.
The mayor said legislation is being introduced to the city council to authorize $150,000 to be allocated to the fund.
Disbursements from the fund will be handled on an as-needed basis for victims. Those in need of support from the fund are asked to call 330-376-0040 or CLICK HERE.
To donate to the fund, you can CLICK HERE or call 330-376-8522.
The shooting
Just after midnight on June 2, a street party in Akron turned deadly. In total, 28 people were shot, one of whom was killed. That person has been identified as Lateris Cook of Akron.
Police said that the evolving scene and the multiple hospital victims presented problems with the tally of total victims due to people going to one hospital and then leaving and heading to another one. Another person left after being triaged but showed back up later for treatment.
RELATED: Number of people wounded by gunfire at Akron street party shooting is now 27, including 1 fatality
Just hours before the shooting, police said that they went to a private residence where the party was happening. About 200 revelers were present, being loud and shooting fireworks. Police asked them to disperse from the street because of motor vehicle traffic.
Between 10 p.m. and midnight, people returned to the party, say police, and a little after midnight, police said they started receiving calls about shots fired.
The city's response
Akron Mayor Shammas Malik said authorities are doing everything they can to bring those responsible to justice and that the city stands behind the victims who will be healing, physically and emotionally, from the senseless act for a long time to come.
Malik said he and the rest of the city are committed to investing in the neighborhood and working "hand in hand" through this difficult process.
Community bands together
Last week, a group went door to door asking people how they were doing and if they needed any support.
The group, organized by former Akron City Councilwoman Tara Mosley-Weems, who lives near where the shootings happened, included pastors, Akron police officers, and other city leaders. Together, the group canvassed the neighborhood.
The group had 30 Ring doorbell cameras to give out that came with a free one-year subscription.
Mosley-Weems' own ring doorbell footage is assisting Akron Police in its effort to find whoever is responsible for the shooting. Warning: The video may be difficult to watch for some viewers.
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