A confrontation involving two armed individuals escalated into a shooting near a cherished historical festival in Ohio, resulting in 12 individuals being injured, with two in critical condition. The gunmen remain at large, intensifying the situation.
Authorities from Toledo and Lucas County, along with several emergency medical teams, swiftly arrived at the scene of the gunfire, which erupted around 5:30 PM on Saturday, in the vicinity of Delaware Avenue and Glenwood Avenue near the Old West End Festival.
Responders found numerous people suffering from gunshot wounds, with victims ranging from 14 to 61 years old. Most of the injured were reported to be in their early 20s, and among them, two were critically wounded.
By Saturday night, no arrests had been made. During a press briefing, police indicated that the incident likely involved at least two individuals exchanging gunfire.
Joseph Heffernan, the Deputy Chief of Toledo Police, stated, “It seems that there were at least two shooters, and we believe they were exchanging shots with each other.”
Witness Kevin Berry told the Daily Mail he personally observed at least five or six victims being struck by gunfire, including one graze wound and another shot to the head.
‘Everybody hit the deck,’ he said.
He described seeing an elderly woman fall to the ground, who he believed appeared to be experiencing heart attack symptoms during the commotion.
A shooting near Old West End Festival in Ohio sparked a massive emergency response on Saturday
Witness Kevin Berry told the Daily Mail he personally observed at least five or six victims being struck by gunfire
A witness on Facebook wrote: ‘People were bleeding. EMTs were called’
Emergency crews tend to a victim of the festival shooting. Witnesses have described their horror as gunfire rang out
Berry, a Navy veteran with medical training, said he heard up to eight gunshots and saw a gun drop, but did not see the shooter, who he believed fled on foot.
He also said the shooting appeared to come out of nowhere, with the first gunshots heard while the band was still playing. He added that it appeared to be entirely random, with no clear target or intent.
The veteran described running around attempting to flag down officers for those who had been struck by gunfire, telling Daily Mail that police reached the scene ‘quickly.’
Police have not yet released a general description of the suspects. However, Investigative Lt Dan Gerken said authorities do not believe any of the injured individuals are suspects.
‘We’re way early in this for questions about what we have and who we want caught,’ he said.
‘I’m feeling good about where we are right now, but we’ll need the community’s help,’ he added, noting that authorities are speaking with multiple people, including victims and witnesses, and reviewing footage from the area.
‘As far as violence, this is over the top. Twelve people is a lot. This is way over the top.’
Videos shared on social media showed chaos as people ran from the scene, with injured victims seen walking in bloodied clothes and others taken away on stretchers.
Gunshot victims were taken to hospital. Two are currently in a critical condition
Police stand near where multiple people were shot at a community festival Saturday
Witness Berry said he heard up to eight gunshots and saw a gun drop, but did not see the shooter, who he believed fled on foot
Witness Berry said the shooting appeared to come out of nowhere, with the first gunshots heard while the band was still playing
The multi-agency response includes Toledo police, Lucas County Sheriff’s deputies, Ohio State Highway Patrol and Toledo Fire and Rescue
Deputy chief of Toledo Police Joseph Heffernan told a press conference they believe there were two gunmen who were shooting at each other
Tony Toledo, a Defiance, Ohio resident, shared a chilling Facebook post saying he attended the Old West End Festival to relive his college days when shots were fired just 30ft away from him.
‘I was eating ribs. Dropped the ribs. Every person at the park stopped to the ground. I am ok,’ Toledo wrote.
‘Unknown to me the shooter ran past me ten feet way. He dropped his gun on ground ten feet from me,’ he added. ‘Another attendee was standing over the gun screaming for the police to get it. Cops got it immediately.’
‘People were bleeding. EMTs were called,’ Toledo wrote, adding that he learned two people had died, though that detail has not yet been confirmed by police.
‘There was a cop waving an automatic rifle screaming for us to leave the park,’ he said. ‘He didn’t need to tell me twice.’
Chief Heffernan said there is a large amount of evidence that still needs to be sorted, noting that a large number of officers were assigned to festival security and that mobile Toledo police cameras fed into the city’s real-time crime center.
He added that the shooting is another example of how gunfire can endanger people who have no involvement in a dispute and are simply going about their daily lives.
‘Everybody has to treat people like they would like to be treated,’ Heffernan said during Saturday’s briefing.
Police have appealed to festival goers to check their phones to see if they have footage that could help catch the shooters
Videos shared on social media showed chaos as people ran from the scene, with injured victims seen walking in bloodied clothes and others taken away on stretchers
Witness Berry said police responded ‘quickly’ to the scene
Police cars block the road where the shooting took place. The incident sparked a huge emergency response
‘If we have groups of young people who think this is exciting, it’s not. This is a perfect example of when bullets start flying, they can strike anyone,’ he added. ‘We’ll be doing outreach, especially with juveniles, for community policing.’
Toledo safety director George Kral, a former police chief, also made a public plea for cell phone footage that could help police identify the suspects.
‘I know there is information out there. Look through your cellphone video and reach out to TPD. This is one of the most iconic festivals in Toledo and it’s a shame that something like this had to ruin it,’ Kral said.
‘We can keep you anonymous. If someone is worried about their personal safety, we can take care of it,’ he added. ‘Please help us help you.’
Toledo mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz posted on Facebook after the shooting: ‘Toledo has faced more adversity over the years than most cities, and our citizens always rally together and pull through. This will be no exception.’
‘What happened today at the Old West End Festival, sadly, has happened in too many American cities. But we should never shrug our shoulders and accept it as the price of living in a free society. As a country, we must do better,’ he added.
‘Toledo is resilient and will emerge stronger because of the unity we show in this moment-and because of the brave men and women of the Toledo Police Department and Toledo Fire & Rescue Department, whose swift actions today saved lives.’
The mayor concluded: ‘Let’s pray for them tonight as we also pray for the victims of this senseless shooting, our city and country.’
First responders help a woman who was injured at the mass shooting near the Old West End Festival
In a news release, authorities said: ‘The Toledo Police Department is actively searching for the suspect or suspects involved’
Toledo Fire and Rescue Chief Allison Armstrong said all patients were transported from the scene within an hour and taken to local hospitals, thanking fire and rescue crews for their swift response.
Police also said during the press conference that officers were already on the scene providing security for the festival and were able to respond quickly.
‘The investigation currently includes scenes in the area of Delaware Avenue and Robinwood Avenue,’ Toledo Police Department said.
‘Residents and visitors are asked to avoid the area and expect a significant police presence as officers continue their search and investigators work to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident,’ they added.
In a statement to Facebook, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine wrote: ‘I am deeply concerned about the situation in Toledo tonight.’
‘Summer festivals should be safe spaces for families to spend time together without fear of violence,’ he added.
DeWine concluded his statement by saying he was ‘praying for everyone impacted by the incident at the Old West Festival’ and is ‘confident that law enforcement will locate the suspects involved in this senseless crime.’
Toledo was hosting its 53rd West End Festival, described as the ‘biggest party of the year’ celebrating ‘one of the largest historic districts in the country.’
Police from Toledo and Lucas County, along with multiple medical units, responded to the Old West End Festival just after 5.30pm Saturday. A file photo of the festival
Several hundred people were at the event, Kral said, adding: ‘This is one of the most iconic festivals in Toledo, and it’s a shame that something like this had to ruin it.’
Live music, dozens of food vendors, a beer garden, house tours and shopping kicked off with the King Wamba Carnival Parade on Saturday morning, opening the two-day event.
The festival posted to Facebook after the shooting that it would be cancelled on Sunday.
The post read: ‘Too often we turn on the news and learn of a celebration somewhere that turns into a tragedy. Now, that news comes from our own neighborhood. We are heartbroken about those that were injured at the Old West End Festival.’
‘Many people want to know how we proceed from such a dark place. After discussion with festival organizers, law enforcement and the City of Toledo, we feel that it would not be compassionate, responsible or possible to continue festival,’ it added.
‘Therefore, all festival events for Sunday, June 7, are cancelled.’
Anyone with information can text or call Crime Stoppers at 419-255-1111. You can remain anonymous.
