Kent Police are investigating a reported shooting that took place near East Main Street and Depeyster early Saturday morning. A 24-year-old man was taken to a nearby hospital after being shot at around 2 a.m., according to Kent Police Captain Jim Prusha. No others are reported to be injured.

The man’s condition is not yet known and police are still investigating. There are no confirmed suspects.

The manager of the Jimmy Johns on East Main Street said employees who were working at the time filed reports with the police. One employee, who did not wish to be named, said he reported a make and model of one vehicle to police. The manager said the employee reported seeing a car speed away after several people jumped inside. Those details are not yet confirmed.

Students at Kent State were alerted by a FlashALERT message at about 2:15 a.m. advising them to avoid the area.

As people were leaving the bars at closing time, one student witnessed the shooting from across the street.

Caleb Ashcraft, a senior fashion design major, said he was enjoying his night downtown with friends until he heard gun shots.

He described the gunshots as sounding like fireworks or a car crash. He said he turned to face East Main Street and saw a man lying on the ground.

After Ashcraft realized the man on the ground had been shot, he said he saw several people run from the scene. He and his friends ran to their cars and went home, he said.

“It all just makes you realize even though you’re in Kent, a tiny quiet town, it doesn’t mean there’s not violence,” Ashcraft said. “It’s a reminder that anything can turn dangerous at a moment’s notice.”

Payton Moore contributed reporting.

Contact Matthew Merchant at [email protected]