Summit County Crimestoppers offers $2,000 reward in shooting of grandma who flashed lights at 2 men

AKRON, Ohio - Summit County Crimestoppers is offering a $2,000 reward for information that leads to two men, who police say shot an Akron grandmother after she flashed her car lights at them on Elma Street.

Wylene Edwards, 59, is still recovering from two gunshot wounds. A 9-millimeter bullet remains lodged in her left shoulder and her arm feels like it always has a toothache in it.

"After you become a victim of gun violence, you wouldn't wish that on your worst enemy," Edwards said.

The case even grabbed the attention of the White House. Edwards was among 120 victims of gun violence who were invited to Washington, DC last week for congressional meetings on gun control. Some of the parents of Sandy Hook children were also there.

"It was sad, especially the people who had relatives who died," explained Edwards.

The grandmother spoke with First Lady Michelle Obama and explained that she was a survivor from Akron.

"Just the way that she looked at me, she showed me so much compassion and concern and was surprised that I was there so soon after being shot," Edwards said.

It was on her way to a store in her Nissan Altima on Jan. 24 when Edwards' life was turned upside down. She spotted two men standing in the street and flashed her high beam lights at them, hoping they would move out of the way.

Instead, they opened fire on her car. Four bullets struck her vehicle and one grazed her right shoulder. A second shot penetrated her left shoulder and became lodged near an artery. Edwards believes another bullet that pierced her windshield somehow missed her.

"That's when I thought, 'Oh God, I hope I'm not going out this way,'" she recalled.

Akron Police Sgt. David Garro said the department has received some possible leads, but detectives need more help from the public to identify the suspects and bring them to justice.

"It's very important to catch these people because they shot just a person going about her business for no reason. Absolutely, no reason."

Anyone with information on the case should contact Summit County Crimestoppers at 330-434-COPS. Callers may remain anonymous and could be eligible for a reward up to $2,000.