High school graduate, 18, is shot dead in 'random attack' while driving her grandmother to the bank

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Less than two weeks after an 18-year-old girl from Ohio celebrated her high school graduation, she was shot and killed while driving her grandmother to the bank.

Na'Kia Crawford, from Akron, was found riddled with bullets inside her car at the intersection of North Howard Street and East North Street on Sunday afternoon. 

She was rushed to Summa Akron City Hospital but could not be saved. Her grandmother, who witnessed the shooting, was not harmed. 

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Na'Kia Crawford, 18, is pictured in her cap and gown on the day of her graduation on June 3. Less than two weeks later, she was shot and killed while driving her grandmother

The Akron Police Department in Ohio on Monday released photos of a black sports car that is believed to be connected to Crawford's homicide on June 14 

The vehicle pictured above is described as having dark tinted windows

On Monday, the Akron Police Department released photos showing a black sports car with dark tinted windows, which investigators believe was involved in the killing, reported News 5 Cleveland. 

On Monday afternoon, a protest was held at the spot where Crawford was gunned down, with family, friends and supporters demanding justice for the high school graduate. 

Some participants claimed that a white man in a black sports car shot Crawford, who was black, as part of a racially motivated attack. 

Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan said in a statement that investigators are looking into those reports.

Lt. Michael Miller, with the Akron Police Department, said the shooting appeared to be random and unrelated to road rage.

On Monday, family, friends and supporters held a protest at the intersection where Crawford was killed 

Crawford's family described Na'Kia as a kind, caring and intelligent young woman 

'We don't have anything at this stage to suggest the victim was targeted specifically because of her race. It's too early to tell,' Miller said, according to Akron Beacon Journal. 

Crawford graduated from North High School on June 3. That day, she shared on her Facebook page still photos and videos of herself proudly posing in her canary-yellow cap and gown. 

'Im officially a high school graduate,' she wrote in a status update. 'I want to thank God for blessing me to be able to walk the stage it was stressful but I did it...I’m so thankful next step college Central state university...' 

Crawford planned to study computer technology at the historically black college located in Wilberforce, Ohio, next fall. 

Akron Public Schools Superintendent David James released a statement mourning Crawford's violent and premature death.   

Crawford proudly posed in her cap and gown less than two weeks before her death. She planned to study computer science at Central State University in the fall 

'The flame of her candle went out way too early,' he wrote. 'To make it to her high school graduation, with plans for her future, especially during this difficult time of COVID-19, just stings that much more. The heartache is real for those of us left behind to pick up the pieces.

'All of us at Akron Public Schools are feeling the loss of this young woman as we do when -- all too often it seems -- children's lives are taken.'

Relatives and friends who came together on Sunday at the intersection where Crawford's life was taken - just two blocks away from her home - described her as intelligent and caring.  

'She always was wanting to do the absolute best that she could, and just brought happiness to everyone that was around her,' said North High School principal Kim Sabetta.

Crawford's younger sister, Nicolette, called her sibling a 'walking history book' and said she always learned something new from her. 

Crawford leaves behind her parents and a younger sister who looked up to her 

Crawford's uncle, Tyrell Fletcher, urged anyone with information on the murder to come forward, and called on the killer to surrender. 

'Just turn yourself in. We need justice for my niece. It's not right. It's not fair. She had a lot going for herself and someone took it away,' Fletcher said.

Lt Miller reassured Crowford's loved ones who attended the protest that his department is 'turning over every rock' and doing everything possible to bring the teenager's killer to account. 

'We will do everything we can to find out who did this,' Miller said after speaking to the family and listening to their concerns.  

Summit County Crimestoppers is offering a reward up to $5,000 for information that leads to an arrest and indictment, and the victim's family plans to offer an additional $20,000. 

Anyone with information on the killing or the sports car is asked to call police at 330-375-2490 or Summit County Crimestoppers at 330-434-COPS.