gunfire at – Gunfire erupted Saturday near Toledo’s Old West End Festival, wounding at least 12 people as responders struggled to move through closed roads and heavy traffic. No suspects were in custody hours later, and officials urged anyone with photos or videos to come
The gunshots came suddenly in the Old West End Festival crowd—so fast that one man said he heard “a handful” of them before people knew what was happening.
By the time emergency crews could get through, at least 12 people had been wounded near the Agnes Reynolds Jackson Arboretum in Toledo, Ohio, on Saturday, June 6, 2026. Some eventgoers ran for cover while others rushed to help the victims.
Toledo Deputy Police Chief Joe Heffernan said that hours afterward, no suspects were in custody. Heffernan also urged people who were at the festival to come forward with photos or videos from their phones, which could help investigators piece together what happened.
Heffernan said it appeared that at least two people fired weapons and that they were “probably shooting at each other.” Two of the victims were in critical condition, he said. The ages of those wounded ranged from 14 to 61, with most in their early 20s.
The shooting took place near the Old West End Festival, an annual gathering of live music and home tours.
Across Ohio. the response was immediate and pointed at the same place where the violence struck—one of the state’s summer traditions. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said in a statement that he was “deeply concerned about the situation in Toledo tonight. ” adding that “Summer festivals should be safe spaces for families to spend time together without fear of violence.”.
Multiple videos posted to social media showed people running amid the sound of gunshots, while emergency officials tended to others who appeared wounded.
Fire Chief Allison Armstrong said it was difficult to get to the hospital because roads were closed and traffic was thick with people leaving the festival. Even so, emergency responders were able to transport all patients from the scene within an hour.
Kevin Berry was sitting in the neighborhood arboretum listening to live music with friends when the first shots rang out.
“Everybody hit the deck,” he said.
When Berry looked back up, he saw a gun being tossed to the ground less than 50 feet (15 meters) away. He said officers who were already on site for the festival responded immediately.
Berry, who has medical training and served in the Navy, walked around looking for anyone who might need help. He said he saw at least five people with gunshot wounds and that the injured were spread out across the arboretum area.
The Old West End Festival is a two-day celebration in Toledo’s historic district that includes live music, food vendors, home tours and shopping. Berry called it the “kick-off to Toledo’s summer festival season.”
As officials worked the scene and tried to understand what comes next, George Kral, safety director for the city, said officials were discussing with organizers whether the festival would continue through the weekend.
“This is one of the most iconic festivals in Toledo,” Kral said, “and it’s a shame that something like this had to ruin it.”
Ohio Toledo Old West End Festival Agnes Reynolds Jackson Arboretum shooting gunfire police investigation Gov. Mike DeWine victims festival safety