The Kenmore man who was fatally shot by a police officer on Sunday afternoon had no criminal history prior to his death, Akron police reported.
An officer, who has not been identified, fired at the 61-year-old man after he pulled a semiautomatic rifle from his vehicle after attacking his neighbor. Police reportedly ordered the man not to touch the gun before firing several rounds into his torso. He was transported to Cleveland Clinic Akron General, where he died.
The Kenmore man, who lived in the 1000 block of Florida Avenue, has not been identified. The Summit County Medical Examiner’s Office is searching for a next of kin before releasing his name.
According to a 911 call released by police on Monday, a man called to request paramedics because his friend was hurt. The caller, whose friend lived below the 61-year-old man, told a dispatcher the man slammed his friend’s arm in a car door and cursed at others in the vicinity shortly before 3:25 p.m. The caller made no mention of a gun.
Police arrived within 10 minutes, according to radio transmissions police released. Officers went to the back of the building, where they reported seeing the man approach a parked van. According to police, he pulled an SKS semiautomatic rifle from the vehicle despite warnings from the officers. An officer responded by opening fire. At about 3:40 p.m., radio transmissions alerted dispatchers to the gunshots.
Both the officer and the 61-year-old man are black, police Lt. Rick Edwards said. No officers were injured in the incident.
Edwards said the dead man’s name doesn’t show up in any police records.
“I can’t find him listed in anything,” he said.
When reached for comment, the man who called police hung up after a reporter identified himself.
The officer who shot the man has been with Akron Police for two years. He has been placed on administrative leave pending the investigation, in accordance with department policy.
Nick Glunt can be reached at 330-996-3565 or nglunt@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @NickGluntABJ and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ngfalcon.