TOLEDO, Ohio — People living in west Toledo are speaking out against gun violence after a 21-year-old man was shot at the Palmer Gardens apartments Monday night.
According to police, 21-year-old Harenell Hershey was shot in the head and taken to the hospital with critical injuries shortly before midnight.
Toledo police said the man was involved in an altercation and an investigation has been opened to determine what led up to the shooting.
While that man is fighting for his life, residents at the Palmer Gardens apartments are fighting to keep their surroundings safe.
MORE LOCAL NEWS: 'The violence needs to stop': South Toledo residents react to shooting that left teen dead, man injured
Kennji Barton, a 27-year-old resident in the area, said no one wants to come home to the yellow tape blocking off a crime scene. Unfortunately, that's what happened to him Monday night.
He said he was returning home from work and after seeing multiple police, was instantly fearful for his family and his neighbors.
"It's kind of a shocker. I just got off work last night. Got home, seen it, kind of shocked. I made sure my kids were cool. It's surprising to see it being like that out here," Barton said. "I was kind of very agitated about it due to the fact, again, it is too many kids that be out here, too many kids that play around. So, for that to happen out here really pissed me off. I really want to get this area safe and secure."
MORE HEADLINES: Police: Suspect shoots rifle at traffic near International Park
He described these apartments are normally a quiet place with children who play freely, adding that there is very little crime.
While residents like Barton said they want answers, he also said he believes the incident came from outsiders who don't live in the Palmer Gardens. Barton ultimately said his neighbors and family are his priority when it comes to safety.
"I ran to my house just to make sure everything was good," Barton said. "Everything was cool over there, so I just stayed outside and made sure the surroundings were OK. I talked to my neighbors. No one knew what was going on. But I was just making sure everyone in the neighborhood was OK. Especially the kids out here. We all love kids out here, we all have kids out here, so if one of our kids gets hurt all of our kids get hurt. That's how I look at it."
Toledo Police said where the shooting happened is very dark, but they are using surveillance footage to help identify a suspect.
They encourage anyone with information about this shooting to come forward and call Crime Stoppers at 419-255-1111.
MORE FROM WTOL 11