RismadarVoice Reporters, June 7, 2026
At least 12 people were wounded in a shooting near a popular community festival in Toledo, Ohio, on Saturday evening, with police saying the gunmen responsible had not been apprehended as of late Saturday night.
According to Toledo Police Deputy Chief Joseph Heffernan, the violence erupted shortly after 5:30 p.m. near the Old West End Festival, an annual event that attracts large crowds with live entertainment, food vendors and family-oriented activities.
Preliminary investigations suggest that at least two individuals may have exchanged gunfire, possibly targeting each other, in an area crowded with festival attendees.
Authorities confirmed that two of the victims sustained critical injuries and were receiving medical treatment. The ages of those wounded range from 14 to 61 years old, with most of the victims reported to be in their early twenties.
Officials said several hundred people were present when the shooting occurred, creating panic among festivalgoers. Law enforcement officers assigned to the event, along with off-duty personnel working security, responded immediately to the scene.
Police have launched an extensive investigation and are currently interviewing victims and witnesses while reviewing surveillance footage from security cameras installed around the festival grounds. Authorities believe the video evidence could help identify those responsible.
Deputy Chief Heffernan described the incident as a tragic disruption of a long-standing community celebration cherished by residents for many years.
“Unfortunately, the actions of a few individuals have overshadowed an event that has brought people together for generations,” he said.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine expressed concern over the shooting, emphasising that public events should remain safe environments for families and community members.
In a statement, the governor said he and First Lady Fran DeWine were praying for those affected and voiced confidence that law enforcement agencies would identify and arrest the suspects behind the attack.
Following consultations between city officials, law enforcement authorities and festival organisers, the Old West End Association announced the cancellation of Sunday’s scheduled activities.
Organisers said continuing the event would not be appropriate given the circumstances, adding that the decision was made out of respect for the victims and the wider community impacted by the violence.
The investigation remains ongoing as police work to locate the suspects and determine the motive behind the shooting.
