What started as a routine evening at Akron's Hardesty Park turned serious last Wednesday when a 60‑year‑old man was shot near the pavilion, according to police. Officers say the man was treated at the scene, then taken to Cleveland Clinic Akron General with injuries described as non‑life‑threatening. The suspected gunman ran off on foot and, as of now, remains at large while detectives work the case.
Photos Released as Police Seek a Name
In a post from the Akron Police Department on Facebook, investigators shared photos tied to case #26-058903 and asked the public to help identify the person shown. The department is clear on one point: do not approach the individual. Instead, anyone who recognizes the person is urged to contact detectives or use anonymous tip options listed in the post. Officers say these images could be key to tracking down the person of interest as the investigation moves forward.
What Police Say Happened
Officers were dispatched to Hardesty Park around 5:17 p.m. last Wednesday after reports of gunfire near the pavilion, as reported by Cleveland19. They found a 60‑year‑old man with a gunshot wound to his left leg. Responding officers applied a tourniquet before paramedics took him to Cleveland Clinic Akron General, where officials described his injuries as non‑life‑threatening.
According to investigators, the victim had confronted a person who was causing a disturbance in the park. Police say that is when the suspect pulled out a gun and fired, hitting the man in the leg. The shooter then ran south toward a nearby McDonald’s, Cleveland19 reports.
How to Report Tips
The Akron Police Department on Facebook lists several ways to pass along information. Tipsters can call the Detective Bureau at 330‑375‑2490 or use the anonymous line at 330‑375‑2TIP. Tips can also be submitted through the APD app Tips411, online at akroncops.org, or by texting the keyword TIPSCO to 274637.
The post identifies Detective A. Hacimuezzin and Detective Sgt. G. Moenich as contacts on the case and asks anyone with potential evidence to hang onto it. Police are specifically urging residents and visitors to preserve any video or photos from the area and share them with investigators instead of posting them and moving on. They again caution the public not to confront the person in the photos and to call police instead.
Investigation Status
No arrests have been announced, and detectives are still actively investigating, according to Cleveland19. Authorities are reviewing available video and canvassing the neighborhood around the pavilion to track down additional witnesses and surveillance footage that might help identify the suspect.
Hardesty Park Backdrop
Hardesty Park is no stranger to community traffic. The green space regularly hosts events and concerts, including the city's Bicentennial summer concert series. The pavilion where the shooting occurred is a frequent meeting spot during warmer months, so detectives are hopeful that people who were in the area that evening, or whose doorbell or security cameras face the park, may have footage that could help move the case forward.
