A 63-year-old man is dead after being found with a gunshot wound to the face Sunday, according to the Akron Police Department.
Around 6:33 a.m., officers responded to a Circle K at 940 S. Arlington St., where witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots, police said.
When officers arrived, they found a 63-year-old man who was shot in the face, and he was pronounced dead on the scene, Akron police said. The Summit County Coroner has identified the man as Rickie Essick.
No one is in custody as the investigation continues.
"I can tell you our detectives have talked to several people who were involved, and at this point do not believe there's an ongoing threat to the community," Akron Police Lt. Brent Bauknecht said.
The department said detectives and Crime Scene Unit personnel responded to the scene to process the area.
The gas station sits just around the corner from an elementary school and Greenlight Auto Sales, where owner Mostafa Gheith said major crimes are not the norm in the area.
"It's pretty quiet for the most part — I'm pretty much the only car lot with no fence," Gheith said.
Neighbor Lamar T. lives just behind the Circle K.
"Me and my grandpa, we hear two sets of shots. Bang bang, bang bang," he said. "We see a whole bunch of sirens, and we see this guy on the ground right over there right next to this red Chevy Cruze and they're giving him CPR."
Lamar T. said one of the strangest details of the incident was that Essick parked his car in Taylor's driveway just before the shooting.
"I don't know why he parked in our driveway — it was the craziest thing ever," he said.
"The big thing is to always be vigilant," Bauknecht said. "If you see something, if something doesn't feel right, please say something. "
An investigation is ongoing, and anyone who has more information on the shooting is asked to contact Akron police at 330-375-2490 or 330-375-2Tip.
The department said citizens can also anonymously report information to the following places:
• The Summit County CrimeStoppers: call 330-434-COPS
• Text TIPSCO with your tips to 274637
• Download the Akron Police Department app and submit information by texting
Tips411or by accessing the link on our website www.AkronCops.org
