Breaking: Multiple people shot near Ohio festival, US authorities say

Sun 7 Jun 2026 at 8:46am

Sun 7 Jun 2026 at 8:46am

In short:

At least 12 people have been injured during a shooting near a busy community street festival in Toledo, Ohio.

Police say they are searching for suspects after responding to a report of a person shot near the Old West End Festival.

Toledo Deputy Police Chief Joe Heffernan says early reports suggest two people may have been firing weapons at each other.

At least 12 people have been injured during a shooting near a community festival in Ohio.

Two of the injured victims were in a critical condition, Toledo Deputy Police Chief Joe Heffernan said.

He said it appeared there were at least two people firing weapons and that they were "probably shooting at each other".

Police say the search for the shooters is continuing.

Toledo police officers first responded to a report of a person shot near the Old West End Festival about 5:30pm on Saturday, local time.

When they arrived, they found multiple shooting victims, the police department said in a statement.

Many had been taken to nearby hospitals, police said.

Police are actively searching for suspects and are working to determine the circumstances of the shootings.

"I am deeply concerned about the situation in Toledo tonight," Ohio Governor Mike DeWine said in a statement.

"Summer festivals should be safe spaces for families to spend time together without fear of violence."

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.

"Everybody hit the deck," he said.

When he looked back up, he saw a gun being tossed to the ground less than 15 metres away from him.

Police officers who were already on-site for the festival immediately responded to the scene.

Mr Berry, who has medical training and served in the US Navy, said he walked around the area looking for potential victims.

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.

Mr Berry described it as the "kick-off to Toledo's summer festival season."

AP