An 18-year-old woman was injured during a shootout at Spring Hill Apartments in Akron on Thursday afternoon, according to Cleveland 19. The Akron Police Department (APD) reported that gunfire was exchanged between two unidentified groups in the apartment complex's parking lot, located on the 1200 block of Everton Drive.
The incident, which occurred at approximately 4:36 p.m., resulted in an 18-year-old woman suffering a leg injury from a bullet graze. APD officers who arrived at the scene swiftly found the victim, as mentioned in News 5 Cleveland. Captain Michael Miller of the APD clarified that the event shouldn't be classified as a drive-by shooting, though it's still unclear how the victims and gunmen are connected.
Investigators at the scene discovered numerous shell casings and later, during a search of the surrounding apartments, uncovered four firearms. According to FOX8 News, several vehicles in the parking lot and some of the apartment structures were also struck by bullets. Police proceeded with the search as several suspects reportedly fled into the apartment buildings after the shootout.
Evidence collection at the site included more than a dozen shell casings. The APD's ongoing investigation seeks to piece together the event's sequence and identify those involved. In the meantime, the community reckons with the aftermath, and the police urge witnesses or anyone with information to come forward, aiming to ensure that those responsible are held accountable. As the APD sifts through the gathered evidence, the 18-year-old woman, now a casualty of an unresolved conflict, recovers from her injuries. Those with information are encouraged to contact the Akron Police Department as efforts to understand the full context of this senseless violence continue.
