At Least 12 Wounded in Shooting Near Historic Toledo Festival; Suspects Still at Large
Police in Ohio continue to search for at least two suspects who unleashed a hail of bullets near a beloved neighborhood festival in Toledo, injuring at least 12 people and shattering the festive atmosphere of a summer tradition.
Authorities believe the June 6 shooting erupted when two or more individuals began firing at each other in close proximity to the Old West End Festival, an annual community event that typically draws thousands of visitors to one of Toledo's most historic neighborhoods. The shooting unfolded just after 5:30 p.m. ET, catching attendees off guard as they enjoyed live music and local food.
The festival’s organizers promptly canceled all events on June 7, and law enforcement urged residents to steer clear of the area while investigators combed the expansive scene for evidence. Detectives are also working to determine the motive behind the exchange of gunfire, which left victims ranging in age from 14 to 61, according to Lt. Dan Gerken of the Toledo Police Department.
“As far as violence, this is over the top,” Gerken told reporters, reflecting the shock felt across the city.
Kevin Berry, a festival attendee, told the Associated Press he was listening to live music with friends when gunfire erupted. “Everybody hit the deck,” he said, adding that he saw a gun thrown to the ground and at least five injured people near the neighborhood arboretum. Another witness, Tito Aguilar, told CBS News he had been buying food when a confrontation broke out. He began recording on his cellphone but fled as shots rang out, returning later to find several injured people and locate his friends.
Officers with the Toledo Police Department responded at 5:37 p.m. ET to reports of a shooting in the northern part of the city near the festival. A large police presence was already on the scene, including off-duty officers working security for the event, and some reported hearing the shots. First responders quickly transported multiple victims to local hospitals, though police have not publicly identified those injured.
In a statement to USA TODAY, police spokesperson Mohamad Nasser urged anyone with information, photos, or video to come forward: “Community members continue to play a critical role in helping investigators identify those responsible.”
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine expressed deep concern over the situation, writing on X: “Summer festivals should be safe spaces for families to spend time together without fear of violence. 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.”
Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz also took to X, acknowledging that the city has “faced more adversity over the years than most cities, and our citizens always rally together and pull through.” While noting that many urban areas have grappled with mass gun violence in recent years, he stressed: “But we should never shrug our shoulders and accept it as the price of living in a free society. As a country, we must do better. Toledo is resilient & it will emerge stronger because of the unity we show in this moment.”
The shooting adds to a grim tally of mass gun violence across the U.S., renewing debates about public safety at community gatherings. The Old West End Festival, known for its historic homes and family-friendly atmosphere, had been a summer staple for decades—making the brazen daytime attack all the more jarring for residents.
Contributing: Cole Behrens, The Columbus Dispatch
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ohio mass shooting injures 12 near festival. What we know