On the evening of January 4, 2026, 29-year-old Akron resident Lenard Owens was killed by gunfire. Police were called about 10:11 p.m. to the 1000 block of Elwell Court and found Owens suffering from multiple gunshot wounds; he was pronounced dead at the scene at 10:30 p.m. The Summit County Medical Examiner determined a gunshot wound to the neck was the cause of death. Early reports differ slightly on whether he was found on the front porch or inside the residence.

The Akron Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit and Crime Scene Unit processed the scene and recovered multiple shell casings. Owens’s father was in the home and heard a car pull up moments before the shots; he was not physically harmed. No suspects have been publicly identified and no arrests have been announced as the investigation remains active.

If anyone saw activity in the 1000 block of Elwell Court that night or has information about the shooting, please contact Akron police.