Akron police arrest three in connection with the murder of Ohio three-sport athlete Ethan Liming

Teen who played football, basketball and baseball at Firestone Community Learning Center was slain on June 2nd

AKRON, OH – U.S. Marshals announced on Saturday that three men were arrested by the Akron Police Department in connection with the murder of 17-year old Firestone Community Learning Center three-sport athlete Ethan Liming on June 2nd.

The arrests were made in conjunction with the U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at two separate residential buildings, early Saturday morning.

Liming, who just completed his junior year of high school, played football, basketball and baseball at Firestone. His death was ruled as a homicide caused by blunt force trauma, following an altercation by two groups of young men near an outdoor basketball court on the campus of the I Promise School in Akron.

According to a statement released by the police, “in the moments leading up to the incident, one or more occupants in the [Liming]’s vehicle were riding around the surrounding area shooting a SPLATRBALL Water Bead Blaster at objects and possibly unsuspecting people.” They then “targeted or approached the subjects who were on the court and fired the gel soft gun at them,” seemingly provoking the altercation.

When police arrived on the scene at 10:45 p.m., Liming was unresponsive. Responding paramedics attempted to revive him but were unsuccessful. He was pronounced dead on the scene at 11:05 p.m.

Akron native and NBA superstar LeBron James, whose foundation supports the I Promise School, tweeted a message of sympathy to Liming’s family.

“Our condolences goes out to the family who lost a loved one!!” James tweeted. “[May] the heavens above watch over you during this tragedy! Pray for our community!”

Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan also spoke out on the arrests.

"Ethan's senseless and tragic death has touched every person in our community,” said Horrigan. “These arrests would not have been possible without the dedication of our Akron Police Department and their collaboration with the U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force. They have worked around the clock on this case and I thank them for their tireless efforts. My thoughts and prayers remain with the entire Liming family at this time."