Authorities in Toledo, Ohio, have issued warrants for Ka Nye Taylor, 20, tied to a June 6 shooting near the Old West End Festival that left 12 people wounded, including two critically injured. Police say investigators are also looking for a second shooter.
The moment the crowd surged into the Old West End Festival in Toledo, the street filled with something it never should have needed—police lights, ambulances, and gunfire.
On June 6, near the festival grounds, at least twelve people were hit during a mass shooting that left two victims critically injured and sent a heavy emergency response rushing to the area. Police say most of those hurt were bystanders caught up in the violence.
In the days since, Toledo Police have moved from investigation to identification and pursuit. On June 10. the Toledo Police Department said arrest warrants have been issued for Ka Nye Taylor. 20. in connection with the shooting near the Old West End Festival. a popular street event that draws thousands of visitors each year. Investigators are also seeking help identifying a second shooter believed to have been involved.
Toledo Police Chief Michael Troendle said investigators believe the shooting began with a dispute between two rival groups. He described a sequence that included a foot chase and a physical altercation before gunfire erupted. Investigators determined that one person initially opened fire during the altercation. which led a person from the opposing group to return fire.
Twelve people were struck by gunfire, authorities said. The victims ranged in age from 14 to 61, and police said most of the injured were in their early 20s.
“What investigators believe some of the victims are intentionally targeted, the majority of those injured appear to have been innocent bystanders caught up in this senseless act of violence,” Troendle said during a June 9 news conference.
Taylor, who is wanted on 11 counts of felonious assault, was identified after multiple interviews and investigative leads, police said. Authorities described him as 5 feet, 11 inches tall, weighing about 130 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.
Police say they also obtained “photographs of a second shooter” and released one photo of the male suspect wearing all black at the festival. The department is asking the public for help identifying the second gunman and urging anyone with information to come forward.
For tips that lead to arrests, Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $10,000, while the U.S. Marshals Service has added a reward of up to $5,000, according to police.
At the June 9 news conference, Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz said the victims are expected to survive. Nine of the victims had already been released from the hospital, while three victims remained hospitalized but were no longer in critical condition.
“They’re either in stable or good condition,” Kapszukiewicz said. “So we didn’t have a loss of life and that is a blessing, if not a miracle.”
The account police described also points to how the investigation is being narrowed. Troendle said investigators believe three people were involved in the incident and nine were “innocent bystanders.”
That split—between participants and bystanders—has shaped police messaging since the shooting, even as investigators continue to hunt for the second gunman and build a case around what triggered the fight that turned into gunfire.
Police previously said there was already a large law enforcement presence at the festival, including off-duty officers working security. Despite that staffing. the incident left families and neighborhoods dealing with injuries from a night that was supposed to be about a street festival and thousands of visitors. not a chase and a hail of bullets.
Toledo Ohio shooting Old West End Festival Ka Nye Taylor second shooter felonious assault Michael Troendle Wade Kapszukiewicz U.S. Marshals reward Crime Stoppers
Toledo can’t catch a break…
They’re saying “rival groups” like that explains anything. If it started as a dispute, why were people getting shot at a festival with families? This is just messed up.
Wait so they issued a warrant for Ka Nye Taylor but also “looking for a second shooter,” so like… two people just went off at the same time? I saw something online about it being gang related but then the article says bystanders got hit most. Either way, 12 injured is insane.
Old West End Festival and they couldn’t keep it safe? I don’t even get how a foot chase and physical altercation turns into gunfire at a street event. Feels like the city should’ve had more security or metal detectors or something. Also 14 to 61?? like how does it even reach that many people, that’s scary. Hope they catch whoever did it (and the “second shooter” too).