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Multiple people were shot Saturday near a community festival in Toledo, Ohio, prompting an ongoing police investigation following an outbreak of gunfire
that caused attendees to flee for safety. The Toledo Police Department reported that the shooting occurred near the Old West End Festival, an annual event featuring live music and home tours in a historic district of the city. Officers on the scene discovered several individuals had been shot, with many victims transported to local hospitals, according to a department statement.
Authorities have not yet disclosed the severity of the injuries sustained during the incident. The police confirmed that an active search for the suspects involved is underway.City council member Theresa Morris indicated that there were at least eight victims as a result of the shooting.
“This tragedy is really weighing heavily on both the residents and those who visit and enjoy this festival year after year,” she stated.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine expressed his concern, stating: “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.”
Videos shared on social media captured scenes of chaos, with people running amid the sound of gunfire, while emergency officials attended to those who appeared to be injured.
Witness Kevin Berry recounted sitting in a nearby arboretum listening to live music when he heard a series of gunshots.
“Everybody hit the deck,” he recalled.
After the initial shots, Berry observed a gun being discarded on the ground less than 50 feet away. Police officers who were already present for the festival quickly responded to the situation.
Having medical training from his service in the U.S. Navy, Berry began searching the area for potential victims in need of assistance.
He reported seeing at least five individuals with gunshot wounds.
“The folks who were hit were spread out around the arboretum area,” he added.
The Old West End Festival is a two-day event in Toledo’s historic district, featuring live music, food vendors, home tours, and shopping opportunities.
Berry described the festival as the “kick-off to Toledo’s summer festival season.”
