Shots were fired near the Pee Wee football game in Akron; The trainer helped police catch the suspect

AKRON, Ohio (WJW) – A local football coach is being hailed as a hero after helping police arrest an armed teenager.

“We start training, my 6 and 7 year olds run around the perimeter. You learn discipline and communication. How to be held accountable. The basics of life and it starts at this age,” coach Khai Shelton said.

However, Akron South’s pee-wee football team learned some tough life lessons after shots were fired near their football game Saturday night.

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Shelton said he saw a group of teenagers arguing in the parking lot near the Erie Island Ballfield around 5 p.m.

“I look over and walk in that direction and then I hear the shots. So I look at the guy with the gun in his hand and shoot him,” Shelton said.

Shelton said the crowd dispersed, as did the suspected shooter.

At the same time, an Akron police officer in charge of security at the game called for backup and rushed toward the suspect.

“I saw APD up at the entrance, but me and him are right here. He jumps fences, so I start jumping the fences and chasing him,” Shelton said.

According to police, the teen ran about a block from the baseball stadium, climbed over a fence and ran into someone’s backyard.

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He was arrested there and later charged with carrying a concealed weapon and inducing panic.

The teen is being held at the Summit County Juvenile Detention Center.

“We thank the coach for this courage. The way he embraced his community by inserting himself into a real-time situation,” said Capt. Mike Miller of the Akron Police Department.

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