Toledo Old – Gunfire erupted Saturday near Toledo’s Old West End Festival, leaving at least 12 people wounded and two in critical condition. Police said no suspects were in custody hours later and that it appeared at least two people fired weapons. The festival was cancele
Saturday night in Toledo, the Old West End Festival was still running—live music, food vendors and families packed into the city’s historic district—until gunshots cut through the scene.
At least 12 people were wounded when the shooting erupted near the festival. with some attendees scrambling for cover and others rushing to help. Hours afterward, Toledo Deputy Police Chief Joe Heffernan said no suspects were in custody. He said it appeared that at least two people fired weapons and that they were “probably shooting at each other.”.
The violence led organizers to cancel the remainder of the festival on Sunday. In a statement, the festival said continuing would not be “compassionate, responsible or possible,” adding, “We are heartbroken about those that were injured at the Old West End Festival.”
Heffernan said two victims were in critical condition. The ages of the victims ranged from 14 to 61, with most in their early 20s.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said in a statement that he was “deeply concerned about the situation in Toledo tonight. ” calling summer festivals “safe spaces for families to spend time together without fear of violence.” Officials urged people who were at the festival to come forward with any photos or videos.
On social media, multiple videos showed people running amid gunshots while emergency officials tended to those who appeared wounded.
Fire Chief Allison Armstrong said it was difficult to get to the hospital because of closed roads and traffic caused by people leaving the festival, but emergency responders were able to transport all patients from the scene within an hour.
For Kevin Berry, the chaos began before he fully understood what was happening. He said he was sitting in the neighborhood arboretum listening to live music with friends when he heard a handful of gunshots ring out.
“Everybody hit the deck,” Berry said.
When Berry looked up, he saw a gun being tossed to the ground less than 50 feet away from him. Officers already on site for the festival responded immediately.
Berry, who has medical training and served in the Navy, walked around to see if anyone needed help. He said he found at least five people with gunshot wounds and that those hit were spread out around the arboretum area.
George Kral, the city’s safety director, said the Old West End Festival is one of Toledo’s most iconic events.
“And it’s a shame that something like this had to ruin it,” Kral said.
As police continue searching for suspects who remain at large, investigators are pressing the public to help them reconstruct what happened that night—before a festival known for bringing people together became a scene of fear and injury.
Toledo shooting Old West End Festival Ohio gunfire police investigation festival canceled wounded victims Gov. Mike DeWine