Many Injured In Mass Shooting at Ohio Festival
Gunfire erupted Saturday evening near Toledo’s Old West End Festival, turning one of the city’s beloved family-friendly summer traditions into a scene of panic, bloodshed and chaos. Watch video from the scene below and click here to get my breaking news alerts delivered to you inbox.
At least 12 people, ranging in age from 16 to 61, were injured in the shooting, according to Toledo police, 13abc reported. Two victims were listed in critical condition. Authorities said no arrests had been made as of the latest update, and officers were still searching for the shooter or shooters.
Police said officers were called to the area of Delaware Avenue and Glenwood Avenue just after 5:30 p.m. Saturday. A Toledo Police Department spokesperson said officers were actively searching nearby areas for those involved and urged the public to avoid the area around Delaware and Robinwood avenues.
Police did not provide a description of the suspect or suspects.
Toledo Deputy Police Chief Joe Heffernan told the Associated Press that it appeared at least two people had been firing weapons and were “probably shooting at each other.” Heffernan said two of the wounded were in critical condition.
The shooting happened near the Old West End Festival, an annual celebration in Toledo’s historic district featuring live music, food vendors, home tours and shopping. The festival is described by locals as a kickoff to Toledo’s summer festival season.
Eyewitness Kevin Berry told the Associated Press he was sitting in the neighborhood arboretum listening to music with friends when gunfire rang out.
“Everybody hit the deck,” Berry said.
Berry, a Navy veteran with medical training, told the AP he later walked around searching for victims who needed help and saw at least five people with gunshot wounds.
“The folks who were hit were spread out around the arboretum area,” Berry said.
Another witness, Tito Aguilar, told CBS News he was ordering food when he saw what he described as a group of juveniles attacking another juvenile. Aguilar said he started recording on his cellphone and then heard gunshots. CBS reported that at least 10 shots could be heard in the video Aguilar provided.
Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz initially told WTOL that eight people had been shot and that the injuries were non-life-threatening, according to the New York Post. That figure was later superseded by Toledo police, who reported at least 12 injured, including two critically wounded.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine condemned the violence and said he and First Lady Fran DeWine were praying for the victims.
“Summer festivals should be safe spaces for families to spend time together without fear of violence,” DeWine said, according to 13abc. “Fran and I are praying for everyone impacted by the incident at the Old West End Festival, and we are confident that law enforcement will locate the suspects involved in this senseless crime.”