Police search for suspects in Ohio shooting that wounded 12 near a
street festival
[June 08, 2026]
By JAIMIE DING and THOMAS PEIPERT
A search for suspects in Ohio who opened fire near a busy street
festival stretched into Sunday after 12 people were wounded in the
weekend shooting that sent crowds scrambling for cover in a historic
Toledo neighborhood.
Each of the dozen victims — ranging from teenagers to people in their
60s — were in stable condition, the Toledo Police Department said
Sunday. No arrests have been made and authorities have not identified
any potential suspects.
The gunfire erupted Saturday near the Old West End Festival, a popular
annual summer gathering along streets dotted with Victorian homes.
Videos posted to social media showed people running at the sound of
gunfire and medics tending to the wounded in a park filled with event
tents and food trucks.
Toledo Deputy Police Chief Joe Heffernan has said it appeared that at
least two people fired weapons and were “probably shooting at each
other.”
As the search for the shooters wore on, Lucas County Prosecutor Julia
Bates vowed “justice will be swift and strong.”
“Those who were frightened, traumatized or harmed by this violence will
remain at the forefront of our efforts. I’ve felt outrage before, but
this is personal,” Bates said in a statement. "This is my home. These
are my friends and neighbors. It is not OK.”
In a brief update posted to social media Sunday, Toledo police said
investigators were continuing to make progress and were following
multiple leads. Authorities have urged festivalgoers to come forward
with any photos or videos that might have caught a glimpse of the
suspects.
Hundreds of people were at the festival, an annual two-day celebration
in Toledo’s historic district featuring live music, food vendors, home
tours and shopping. Located in northwest Ohio near the western edge of
Lake Erie, Toledo is about 55 miles (90 kilometers) southwest of
Detroit.
“As far as violence, this is over the top, right?” Toledo police Lt. Dan
Gerken said Saturday. “Twelve people being shot, that’s the most I’ve
been to a scene. I’ve been to a lot of scenes, but this is way over the
top.”
The remainder of the festival was canceled Sunday. Organizers said “it
would not be compassionate, responsible or possible" to continue through
the weekend.
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Investigators use a metal detector to look for shells after a
shooting that left 12 people injured at the Old West End Festival at
the Agnes Reynolds Jackson Arboretum in Toledo, Ohio on Saturday,
June 6, 2026. (Rebecca Benson/The Blade via AP)
“We are heartbroken about those that were injured at the Old West
End Festival,” the festival said in a statement.
The victims ranged in age from 14 to 61, with most of them in their
early 20s. Fire Chief Allison Armstrong said it was difficult for
emergency responders to get the injured to the hospital due to
closed roads and traffic leaving the festival, but all were
transported within an hour.
Kevin Berry was sitting in the neighborhood arboretum listening to
live music with friends when he heard gunshots ring out.
“Everybody hit the deck,” he said.
When Berry looked back up, he saw a gun being tossed to the ground
less than 50 feet (15 meters) away from him. Officers who were
already on site for the festival responded immediately.
Berry, who has medical training and served in the Navy, walked
around looking for anyone who might need help and saw at least five
people with gunshot wounds.
George Kral, the city’s safety director, said the Old West End
Festival is one of the most iconic festivals in Toledo.
“And it’s a shame that something like this had to ruin it," Kral
said.
The Ohio shooting was one of at least two episodes of mass gun
violence in the U.S. over the weekend.
In Kansas City, Missouri, nine adults were injured in a shooting
early Saturday, police said. Officers dispatched to the area about
10 miles (16 kilometers) south of downtown found a large crowd
dispersing. Police said none of the victims had life-threatening
injuries and that no suspects were in custody.
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