Crime
Akron Police Investigating Murder-Suicide in Highland Square Neighborhood
AKRON, OH – Authorities are investigating an apparent murder-suicide after a man and woman were found dead inside a Highland Square residence Monday night.
According to the Summit County Medical Examiner’s Office, 44-year-old Jessica Leigh Violand of Elyria died from a gunshot wound to the head.
Investigators determined that she was fatally shot by 26-year-old Elliot Hareem Altesa of Akron, who then turned the gun on himself.
Akron police responded to the residence in the 20 block of South Highland Avenue at approximately 7:30 p.m. after receiving a welfare check request.
A concerned individual had contacted police, reporting that they had been unable to reach Violand for several hours.
Upon arrival, officers entered the apartment and discovered both Violand and Altesa deceased in a bedroom.
They were pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities have not released details regarding a potential motive for the incident, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with information related to this case is urged to contact Akron Police Department detectives at 330-375-2490 or 330-375-2TIP.
Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Summit County Crimestoppers by calling 330-434-COPS, texting TIPSCO to 274637, or using the Akron PD app via www.AkronCops.org.
Crime
8-Year-Old Boy Fatally Shot, 5-Year-Old Injured in Grand Crossing Home on Chicago’s South Side
Chicago, IL – An 8-year-old boy was killed, and a 5-year-old boy was injured in a shooting inside a residence in the Grand Crossing neighborhood on Chicago’s South Side late Thursday afternoon.
According to Chicago police, officers responded to a home in the 1400 block of East 71st Place, near Dorchester Avenue, at approximately 5:22 p.m.
Upon arrival, authorities discovered that both children had sustained gunshot wounds under unclear circumstances while inside the residence.
The 8-year-old victim suffered a gunshot wound to the head and was transported to the University of Chicago’s Comer Children’s Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.
The 5-year-old victim sustained a graze wound to the head and was also transported to Comer Children’s Hospital, where he remains in stable condition.
A firearm was recovered at the scene, and Wentworth Area detectives have launched an active investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Authorities have not yet disclosed whether the incident was accidental or intentional, and no additional details regarding potential suspects or responsible parties have been released.