Authorities continued searching Sunday for those responsible for a shooting that left 12 people injured near Toledo’s Old West End Festival, an annual event that draws large crowds to the city’s historic neighborhood. Law enforcement personnel were already on site for the Old West End Festival in Toledo when gunshots rang out just after 5:30 p.m., prompting an immediate response from nearby officers.
Police said the gunfire erupted Saturday evening near the festival area around Delaware and Glenwood avenues, with investigators stating that the incident involved multiple gunmen exchanging fire. “It appears as though there were at least two shooters, I think they were probably shooting at each other,” remarked Toledo Deputy Police Chief Joe Heffernan during a press briefing. Police continue to review mobile phone footage, interview witnesses, and collect evidence to establish a definitive motive and timeline of events. “It’s pretty active right now as far as the investigative part of this goes,” Heffernan stated regarding the ongoing search. No arrests had been made as of Sunday.
Authorities later confirmed that a total of 12 people were struck by bullets, with two victims listed in critical condition. The casualties spanned ages from 14 to 61, though authorities noted the majority were in their early 20s.
The violence caused immediate panic among festival attendees, with social media video capturing large crowds fleeing the area for safety. Emergency response teams managed to navigate traffic congestion and road closures caused by fleeing festival-goers, transporting all injured individuals to local medical facilities within an hour.
The two-day neighborhood gathering, which features home tours, food markets, and live music, is widely considered the local launch of the summer season. The incident drew widespread condemnation from regional leadership. “I am deeply concerned about the situation in Toledo tonight,” Ohio Governor Mike DeWine said in a public statement. “Summer festivals should be safe spaces for families to spend time together without fear of violence.”
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