Akron police responding to a shooting in a residential area of downtown Akron found a man in the Ohio & Erie Canal who was pronounced dead at the hospital in a case that’s being investigated as a homicide, according to the police department and the Summit County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Akron police and fire responded to the 700 block of Fleming Drive for a shooting around 5:45 p.m. Wednesday and found a 24-year-old man in the canal behind an apartment complex. According to police, after the man was removed from the water, he was found to have an apparent gunshot wound.
He was removed from the canal, given CPR and taken to Cleveland Clinic Akron General, where he was pronounced dead just after 6:45 p.m.
The man’s name is being withheld pending an autopsy, positive identification and family notification.
According to police, officers recovered more than a dozen shell casings at the scene, which they said suggests more than one shooter. Police said two vehicles were also struck by bullets by gunfire.
Police said there are no suspects or known motives at this time, but detectives are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Anyone with information can call the Akron Police Department Detective Bureau at 330-375-2490 or 330-375-2TIP, the Summit County Crimestoppers at 330-434-COPS or text TIPSCO with tips to 274637. Those reporting information can remain anonymous.