Woman Indicted on Felony Charges After Assaulting Akron Paramedic

Incident occurred after paramedics responded to a medical call at a senior high-rise apartment building.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 9:19pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a bruised and swollen eye, conceptually illustrating the violence faced by a paramedic during an emergency response.A violent assault on a paramedic responding to a routine medical call exposes the dangers faced by first responders on the job.Akron Today

A woman has been indicted on two felony charges after allegedly assaulting an Akron paramedic just after midnight on March 28. The incident occurred when paramedics responded to a medical call at a senior high-rise apartment building and determined the patient did not require ambulance transport. Family members of the patient became angry and one of them allegedly punched the paramedic in the face while he was sitting in the ambulance.

Why it matters

Assaults on first responders like paramedics are concerning as they put emergency personnel at risk and tie up critical resources needed to respond to other calls. This incident highlights the challenges paramedics face in high-pressure situations and the importance of protecting them as they provide life-saving care.

The details

According to investigators, family members of the patient became angry that the patient was not being taken to the hospital and followed the paramedics outside. One of the family members, identified as Kevelyn Evans, then allegedly opened the driver's side door of the ambulance and struck the paramedic in the eye with a closed fist, causing bruising and swelling. Evans was later indicted on charges of assault and aggravated possession of drugs.

  • The incident occurred just after midnight on March 28, 2026.
  • Evans was indicted on the felony charges on April 8, 2026.

The players

Kevelyn Evans

A woman who was indicted on two felony charges after allegedly assaulting an Akron paramedic.

Kevin Gostkowski

President of Akron Firefighters Association Local 330, who commented on the incident.

Michael Murphy

Akron Police Lt., who called the incident a "hostile situation" that first responders should not have to deal with.

Elliot Kolkovich

Summit County Prosecutor, who released a statement regarding the incident and the importance of protecting paramedics.

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What they’re saying

“There are times where we evaluate people and it's just not a medical emergency to tie up an ambulance and two paramedics to transport you to a hospital.”

— Kevin Gostkowski, President of Akron Firefighters Association Local 330

“It's part of the job and some of the risks that we take as police officers, but for a paramedic to be assaulted, I think that's completely different.”

— Michael Murphy, Akron Police Lt.

“Paramedics and EMTs work in urgent and high-pressure situations, assessing critical medical needs of patients and providing life-saving care. Our paramedics in Summit County are highly trained emergency medical professionals, and they should be able to focus on their patients, administering care, and responding to additional calls without distraction or fear.”

— Elliot Kolkovich, Summit County Prosecutor

What’s next

The judge will decide on Kevelyn Evans' bail status at a hearing on April 15, 2026.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the growing problem of violence against first responders, who put their lives on the line to provide critical emergency services. It underscores the need for stronger protections and harsher penalties to deter such attacks and ensure the safety of paramedics and other emergency personnel as they carry out their duties.