78-year-old man shot in Akron road rage incident

AKRON, Ohio (WOIO) – A 39-year-old man was arrested following a road rage shooting Thursday afternoon in Akron.

“The victim was shot in his own vehicle; “The suspect fired multiple shots and one of them struck the victim,” said Akron police spokesman Cpt. Michael Miller.

Officers responded to a shooting in the area of ​​East Market Street and South Arlington Street around 4:15 p.m.

When officers arrived, they found a 78-year-old man with a gunshot wound to the face.

“The context of this is beyond meaningless,” Miller said.

According to police, the victim was taken to nearby Summa Health Akron City Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

All of this in what Miller calls a “minor accident.”

“Accidentally came into contact with their mirrors,” Miller said. “It certainly didn’t have to result in someone almost losing their life.”

Miller says a car was in a bike path and was trying to merge into traffic when contact occurred. Both vehicles were traveling eastbound when the victim's vehicle sideswiped the other vehicle involved, causing minor damage.

According to the police report, 39-year-old Jon Jenkins claims that 78-year-old Ray Berry brandished a gun after the minor encounter.

The report details that Jenkins feared for his life and began firing his gun at Berry before fleeing the scene.

Jenkins called police shortly after he left the area and went to the 700 block of Ravenswood Avenue.

Officers responded to the scene and took the suspect into custody without incident. He was then taken to the police station for questioning.

Jon Jenkins was charged with aggravated assault and taken to the Summit County Jail where he was arraigned.

At least one handgun was seized.

Berry is also charged with dangerous threats.

“It's very bizarre and very disappointing to allow something involving property that can be replaced or repaired to escalate to the point where someone behind it could have lost their life,” Miller said.

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