Police hunt suspect who fatally shot black teenager driving with her grandmother

'I feel that it is essential to say clearly and loudly: Black lives matter. Na'kia Crawford's life mattered'

Akron police are seeking a suspect in a black sportscar following the murder of 18-year-old Na'kia Crawford. (Akron Police Department)

Police in Ohio are appealing for information in the wake of the murder of an 18-year-old recent high school graduate was shot dead while in a car with her grandmother.

Na'kia Crawford graduated from Akron's North High School two weeks before she was shot on Sunday afternoon while driving home from a bank less than a quarter-mile from her home.

A black sports car with tinted windows pulled alongside her car and fired multiple rounds, police said. Witnesses reported that the suspect was a white male, though police said that has not been confirmed.

The Summit County Medical Examiner's Office said that Ms Crawford, who is black, was shot several times. She was transported to a nearby hospital and died early on Monday morning, officials said.

"​Her senseless murder is devastating, not only to her family and friends, but to the entire Akron community," city mayor Dan Horrigan said in a statement. "I feel that it is essential to say clearly and loudly: Black lives matter. Na'kia Crawford's life mattered."

Police also announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of a person connected to the murder.

Family and friends have held vigils and demonstrations at the intersection where she was killed.

Ms Crawford was going to attend Central State University in the autumn.

"The flame of her candle went out way too early," Akron Public Schools superintendent David James said in a statement. "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."

Akron-area legislator Emilia Sykes shared a photo of Ms Crawford on Twitter with the caption "Say. Her. Name!", echoing calls among Black Lives Matter demonstrators demanding justice in the wake of killings of black Americans.

"She deserves justice," Mayor Horrigan said during a Tuesday press conference denouncing the "incomprehensible violence" that led to her death.

"Her senseless killing has impacted each and every one of us in a very personal way," she said. "She had her whole life ahead of her."

Ohio Congressman Tim Ryan said while although "we don't yet know the motive of this heinous crime, there is no question that the plague of racism runs deep in every community across the United States — including our own."

"I want to join Mayor Horrigan in saying clearly and loudly that Black lives matter, and that Na'kia Crawford's life mattered," he said.