At least 12 shot near Toledo festival, 2 critically wounded; suspects at large
A shooting near Toledo's Old West End Festival wounded at least 12 people Saturday, with police searching for multiple suspects.
At least 12 people were wounded in a shooting Saturday near the Old West End Festival in Toledo, Ohio, with two victims in critical condition, police said.
Toledo Deputy Police Chief Joe Heffernan said it appeared there were at least two people firing weapons who were "probably shooting at each other." Police officers who were already on-site for the festival immediately responded to the scene. No arrests have been made and an active search for the suspects continues.
The shooting occurred near the annual community festival in Toledo's historic district, which features live music, food vendors, home tours and shopping. Multiple videos posted to social media showed people running amid the sound of gunshots and emergency officials tending to wounded individuals.
Kevin Berry, who was attending the festival and has medical training, said he heard gunshots while listening to music in the neighborhood arboretum. "Everybody hit the deck," he said, adding that he saw a gun being thrown to the ground about 50 feet away. Berry said he saw at least five people with gunshot wounds spread throughout the arboretum area.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine issued a statement expressing concern about the incident. "Summer festivals should be safe spaces for families to spend time together without fear of violence," DeWine said. The Old West End Festival is described as the kick-off to Toledo's summer festival season.