At least 12 people were shot after gunfire erupted near a beloved summer festival in Toledo, Ohio, sending families running for cover and forcing organizers to cancel the rest of the weekend event.
The shooting happened around 5:37 p.m. on Saturday, June 6, near the Old West End Festival, an annual Toledo tradition known for live music, food vendors, home tours, a beer garden and family-friendly activities.
Toledo police said the victims ranged in age from 14 to 61, with most of them in their early 20s. Two victims were listed in critical condition, while the others were reported to be stable.
Authorities believe at least two shooters were involved and may have been firing at each other when innocent festivalgoers were hit.
“They were probably shooting at each other,” Toledo Deputy Police Chief Joseph Heffernan said during a Saturday night update.
No arrests had been announced as of Sunday, and police said the search for the suspects was still ongoing.
Several hundred people were at the festival when shots rang out. Witnesses described a chaotic scene as people screamed, ducked for cover and tried to escape the area.
Police said officers responded quickly after receiving reports of a person being shot near the festival. When they arrived, they found multiple victims and began securing the scene.
Toledo Fire Chief Allison Armstrong said first responders had to deal with heavy traffic and blocked roads while trying to get victims to hospitals, but all of the injured were transported within about an hour, according to the Associated Press.
Officials said extra officers were already working the event, including on-duty Toledo police and off-duty officers hired for festival security. Mobile security cameras were also being used in the area.
Heffernan said the violence was especially frustrating because the Old West End Festival has been a treasured community event for years.
“It’s just a shame when a few people, for whatever reasons going through their head, decide to disrupt something that has been a beloved community event for many, many, many years,” he said.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said he was “deeply concerned” by the shooting and called summer festivals places where families should feel safe.
“Summer festivals should be safe spaces for families to spend time together without fear of violence,” DeWine said on X. “Fran and I are praying for everyone impacted by the incident at the Old West End Festival, and we are confident that law enforcement will locate the suspects involved in this senseless crime.”
The Old West End Association announced that Sunday’s festivities would be canceled after discussions with festival organizers, law enforcement and the City of Toledo.
“After discussion with festival organizers, law enforcement and the City of Toledo, we feel that it would not be compassionate, responsible or possible to continue festival,” the organization said.
Police said the investigation remains in its early stages. Detectives are speaking with victims and witnesses, reviewing camera footage and asking anyone with photos, videos or information from the area to come forward.
Authorities also urged the public to contact Crime Stoppers with tips as the manhunt continues.
The shooting has left Toledo shaken after a weekend meant for music, food and family fun turned into a terrifying scene of panic and violence.
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