In brief
- The shooting took place in Toledo, Ohio, on Saturday afternoon local time.
- Police said multiple people were injured and a search was underway for the suspects.
In Ohio, a street festival was disrupted by gunfire, leaving multiple individuals injured and prompting an ongoing manhunt for the culprits, according to local law enforcement.
The incident unfolded in Toledo, where police were alerted to gunfire near the Old West End Festival around 5:30 PM local time on Saturday (7:30 AM AEST).
Upon arrival, officers discovered numerous victims and began transporting them to medical facilities, as confirmed in a statement by the Toledo Police Department.
Details regarding the number of individuals affected, the severity of their injuries, and the motive behind the shooting remain unclear. Authorities are actively pursuing leads to apprehend those involved.
Expressing his concern, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine stated, “The events in Toledo tonight are troubling. Summer festivals should be havens where families can gather without the threat of violence.”
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Multiple videos posted to social media showed people running over the sound of gunshots and emergency officials tending to others who appeared wounded.
Kevin Berry said he was sitting in the neighbourhood arboretum listening to live music with his friends when he heard a handful of gunshots ring out.
“Everybody hit the deck,” he said.
When he looked back up, he saw a gun being tossed to the ground less than 15m away from him. Police officers who were already on-site for the festival immediately responded to the scene.
Berry, who has medical training and served in the US Navy, said he walked around the area looking for potential victims who might need help.
He said he saw at least five people with gunshot wounds.
“The folks who were hit were spread out around the arboretum area,” he said.
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.
Sergeant Mohamad Nasser, a spokesman for the Toledo police department, said more information would be released shortly on the department’s Facebook and X accounts.
This is a developing story and this article will be updated.
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