AKRON, Ohio — What began as a routine Monday night at a neighborhood bar ended in gunfire, leaving one man dead and another wounded in a case police are calling both tragic and avoidable. The shooting unfolded inside the Noisy Oyster Pub along Portage Path, a place where locals often gather to unwind.
Authorities say 31-year-old Eric Schaffer, a resident of nearby Cuyahoga Falls, was at the bar when an argument suddenly escalated. Witnesses described a tense exchange that quickly spiraled out of control. Within moments, shots rang out, sending patrons scrambling for safety.
Emergency crews rushed to the scene around 8:14 p.m. Schaffer had been struck multiple times in the chest. He was transported to Cleveland Clinic Akron General Medical Center, but despite efforts to save him, he was pronounced dead at 8:49 p.m. The medical examiner later ruled his death a homicide.
Another man, 35 years old, was also caught in the violence. He suffered gunshot wounds to both legs. Officials say his injuries are serious but not life-threatening, and he is currently receiving medical care.
Police identified the suspected gunman as 28-year-old Larnell Nealy Jr. According to investigators, Nealy fled the scene on foot immediately after the shooting, prompting a large-scale search effort. Officers deployed drones and K9 units, combing the surrounding area late into the night.
Hours later, in a surprising turn, Nealy walked into the Summit County Jail just after 11:20 p.m. and attempted to surrender. He was taken into custody without incident and is now facing charges of murder and felonious assault.
Akron Police Chief Brian Harding described the shooting as a “senseless act,” noting that it stemmed from a dispute that never should have reached such a violent end. The investigation remains ongoing as detectives work to piece together every detail of what led to the deadly confrontation.
