Cleveland, Ohio, police are searching for a lone gunman who opened fire on a group of people early Sunday, injuring nine people in a hail of bullets.
The shooting erupted in the city’s Warehouse District around 2:25 a.m., when an unidentified man opened fire on a group of people near the corner of West Sixth Street and Johnson Court, Police Chief Wayne Drummond said in a statement.
The victims, who received immediate medical aid, included seven men and two women, ranging in age from 23 to 38, police said.
The injured were taken to MetroHealth Medical Center. Two have been released, five remain in the emergency department, one is in surgery and another is recovering after surgery, CNN reported.
Police noted the shooting appeared to have come without warning or previous provocation.
“We have no information, at least right now, from our investigators that there was any type of issues or concerns, or trouble taking place … before this individual started shooting,” Drummond said.
He added police were in the area when they heard the gunshots ring out, and rushed to the scene.
“They were here and they responded immediately,” Drummond said. “They ran to the gunfire and took care of the victims until EMS could respond. I hope what they did helped save some of those victims.”
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While Drummond said investigators were following several leads, there were no arrests by Sunday afternoon.
Police are offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the suspect’s arrest and prosecution.
Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb said he was grateful no one was killed, but lamented the bloodshed was yet more evidence of America’s “massive gun problem.”
Ohio Democrat Rep. Shontel Brown, in a statement, called for Congress to push for universal background checks and a ban on assault weapons.
“Gun violence is devastating Northeast Ohio and Clevelanders deserve to be safe,” Brown stated. “This epidemic is tearing at the fabric of our communities, and it will not end without significant legislative action.”
The assault comes just days after 22 mass shootings were recorded over the Fourth of July holiday weekend, according to the Gun Violence Archive, which tracks shootings that involve four or more victims.
There have been at least 365 mass shootings so far in 2023, according to the nonprofit.
