A 15-year-old boy was shot while trying to stop his dog from attacking a younger friend, police said.
AKRON, Ohio — A dog attack outside an Akron home turned deadly Tuesday when a 14-year-old boy fired several shots, killing 15-year-old Josiah Harris and wounding the dog, police said.
The attack and shooting unfolded in the 1200 block of Packard Drive around 7:20 p.m., according to the Summit County Medical Examiner and Akron police. Harris was trying to pull his dog off the younger teen when he was shot. The case now sits at the center of overlapping questions about animal control, gun access and juvenile safety.
Police said the 14-year-old had come to Harris’ home for a visit. As he approached, Harris’ dog ran toward him and latched onto his left arm. Investigators said Harris moved in to help, trying to get the dog away from his friend. During the struggle, police said, the 14-year-old pulled out a gun and fired multiple times. Harris and the dog were both hit. The younger teen ran to a nearby home, where relatives called 911.
Harris was taken to Akron Children’s Hospital and pronounced dead in the emergency department at 8 p.m. The 14-year-old was also treated at the hospital for injuries from the dog attack. Harris’ family said the dog was still alive and receiving veterinary care after the shooting. Police have not released details about the dog’s condition, breed, ownership records or whether animal-control officers were called to the scene.
Relatives said Harris loved the dog and was trying to protect both the animal and his friend when the shots were fired. Donta Spaulding, Harris’ aunt, said her nephew was devoted to his family. “He loved his dog and he loved his sisters,” Spaulding said. The family said Harris, known as JoJo, was a triplet and a protective brother who remained close to his mother and extended family.
The shooting has also pushed attention beyond the dog attack. Spaulding said relatives want to know how a 14-year-old obtained the gun used outside the home. “It’s just too much. Too many guns on the street and they can get them so easily,” she said. Police have not said whether the gun was recovered, who owned it or whether investigators are reviewing possible charges tied to the weapon.
No charges had been filed in the case as of the latest update, and police said the investigation remained ongoing. Investigators are expected to review witness statements, emergency calls, medical reports and evidence from the Packard Drive scene. Because the suspected shooter is a juvenile, any court action could move through the juvenile justice system unless prosecutors seek another path.
Harris’ relatives said the loss has shaken the family days before the holiday weekend. Tim Spaulding, Harris’ uncle, said many Akron families are already worried about gun violence involving young people. “Everybody’s scared,” he said. For Harris’ family, the fear is now tied to the loss of a boy they said was trying to stop a dog attack and save a friend from further injury.
Police had not released further details Thursday on the dog’s condition, the firearm or possible charges. Harris’ family said they are waiting for answers while mourning a teenager they called JoJo.
Author note: Last updated July 2, 2026.