Police in Toledo, Ohio, are continuing their search for at least two suspects after a shooting near the Old West End Festival left 12 people wounded on Saturday evening. The festival organizers have canceled all planned events on Sunday as the investigation continues.
Toledo Police Deputy Chief Joseph Heffernan reported that the shooters were likely firing at each other when the gunfire erupted just after 5:30 p.m. near the festival, which is an annual event featuring live music and architectural home tours. The search for suspects entered its second day on Sunday, with no arrests made so far. Law enforcement officials are urging festival-goers to share any photos or videos from their phones that may provide leads.
Two victims are in critical condition, according to Heffernan. The ages of the wounded range from 14 to 61, with most in their early 20s. Several hundred people were present at the festival when the shooting occurred. Authorities noted that extra police officers had been assigned to the event, and many off-duty officers were working at the festival itself.
“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,” Heffernan said.
Festival organizers expressed their grief in a statement posted online: “Too often we turn on the news and learn of a celebration somewhere that turns into a tragedy. Now, that news comes from our own neighborhood. We are heartbroken about those that were injured at the Old West End Festival. Many people want to know how we proceed from such a dark place.” After discussions with Toledo civic and police authorities, the organizers concluded, “We feel that it would not be compassionate, responsible or possible to continue the festival.”
Video posted online showed attendees scrambling for cover as shots rang out. Another video on social media captured a young man walking down the street with blood pouring from a wound in his side before sitting down.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine stated, “I am deeply concerned about the situation in Toledo. Summer festivals should be safe spaces for families to spend time together without fear of violence.” Ohio Senator Jon Husted also condemned the violence as “senseless” and thanked law enforcement officers for their quick response and ongoing efforts to locate the suspects.
Toledo Fire Chief Allison Armstrong noted difficulties in transporting victims to hospitals due to closed roads and traffic from people leaving the festival.
According to the Gun Violence Archive, the Toledo shooting marks the 170th mass shooting in the United States this year. The nonpartisan organization defines a mass shooting as an incident where four or more victims are wounded or killed. The persistent high rates of mass shootings have prompted calls for stricter federal gun control, but Congress has not enacted significant restrictions.
In a separate incident, a church in east Columbus canceled the remainder of its annual festival after fights forced an early shutdown on Friday night. Fighting broke out at St. Catharine Catholic Church’s Funfest around 7 p.m., where an estimated 500 to 800 teenagers had gathered. Columbus police investigated reports of gunshots but found no weapon. Bexley Mayor Ben Kessler stated, “Violence has no place in our community spaces but is unfortunately a potential that needs to be carefully considered and planned around when organizing large community events.” Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant condemned “street takeovers” and warned that lawlessness would not be tolerated.
