Akron woman, 72, struck by stray bullet in her home

A 72-year-old Akron woman was struck by a stray bullet while in her home Tuesday night in the 500 block of Alexander Street, according to an Akron Police Department news release.

When police arrived just after 10 p.m., the woman had suffered a gunshot wound to her lower back. She was transported to Summa Health Akron City Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

After hearing gunshots outside, the woman realized she was struck by a bullet that penetrated the front of her home, she told police.

Based on information gathered at the scene, police said unknown suspects in an older black vehicle may have exchanged gunfire with a second vehicle on Alexander Street.

Multiple shell casings were recovered from the scene. The incident remains under investigation.

Barberton man, 60, dies after setting himself on fire

A Barberton man who was hospitalized for apparently self-inflicted burns Tuesday evening died several hour later, said Gary Guenther, the chief investigator at the Summit County Medical Examiner’s Office.

The man was identified as Roland Cookro, 60.

Barberton Fire Department units responded to a call at 6:40 p.m. for a person on fire in front of an office building on the 100 block of Fifth Street Southeast, said fire Capt. Dave Polacek.

When crews arrived, the flames were already put out using fire extinguishers.

Cookro was transported to Akron Children’s Medical Center Burn Unit for treatment of multiple and was pronounced dead just before midnight.

The building received minor damage. The Summit County Medical Examiner is investigating the incident.

Green space added to plan for Sojourner Truth site

United Way of Summit and Medina has announced the future site in downtown Akron honoring abolitionist and women’s rights activist Isabella Baumfree, more popularly known as Sojourner Truth, will now include a dedicated green space.

United Way will acquire the former Akron Public Schools administration building on 70 North Broadway and surrounding property extending to state Route 59 in between High Street and Broadway, upon which the green space will be built. Akron City Council voted Monday to authorize a land swap between the city and the school district to pave the way for the acquisition.

The green space will ensure the space remains accessible to all, enhancing the plaza’s purpose as a location for tranquility and remembrance, according to a United Way news release.