A dozen people were shot and wounded when two gunmen started firing at each other at a family-friendly festival in Ohio on Saturday, officials and reports said.
Cops responded to the chaos unfolding at the Old West End Festival in Toledo around 5:40 p.m., according to a statement local police shared on X.
Police block off the area after the shooting.
In video of the incident, at least 16 shots could be heard ringing out as people screamed and dove for cover.
Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz said originally eight people were shot and left with non-life-threatening wounds, according to WTOL 11 TV.
WDIV later reported that the toll of wounded rose to 12, including two who were critical. They said the ages of the victims ranged from 14 to 61.
“Everybody hit the deck,” said Kevin Berry, who was relaxing in the neighborhood arboretum when he heard the shots
Other horrific footage captured a man who was shot on the side of his torso walking down the street in his blood-soaked white t-shirt.
“Be still, sit down, man!” a panicked witness told the victim.
Another bystander exclaimed, “Call the hospital!” before the shell-shocked man finally plopped down on the grass to wait for help.
First responders sprinted down the street and frantically wheeled stretchers carrying bloodied festival attendees into ambulances, according to other graphic videos.
People enjoy the Old West End Festival in an undated photo. facebook/DowntownToledoBerry claimed he saw a gun being thrown on the ground about 50 feet away from him as cops already working at the festival swarmed the area.
Officials said the gunfire came from two gunmen who traded shots at each other and then fled the scene. Both are still on the loose.
Multiple victims were shot near a popular festival as attendees were forced to run for their lives. Facebook“They were probably shooting at each other,” Deputy Chief Heffernan said.
The suspect fled the scene and is still on the loose, according to police. Facebook/Tito AguilarInvestigative Lt. Dan Gerken said during a news conference, “As far as violence, this is over the top.”
Lucas County Prosecutor Julia Bates said, “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,” she said in a statement. “This is my home. These are my friends and neighbors. It is not OK.”
Police officers work at the scene of a shooting near a festival in Toledo, Ohio, on Saturday, June 6, 2026. WTVG via APThe festival celebrates the Old West End neighborhood, one of the largest historic districts in the country, with live music, food, drinks, art and shopping, according to its website.
Festival organizers were left heartbroken after the shooting as the festival affected their community.
“Too often we turn on the news and learn of a celebration somewhere that turns into a tragedy. Now, that news comes from our own neighborhood. We are heartbroken about those that were injured at the Old West End Festival. Many people want to know how we proceed from such a dark place,” festival officials wrote on Facebook.
Officials for the event announced the remainder of the weekend-long festival was cancelled.
“After discussion with festival organizers, law enforcement and the City of Toledo, we feel that it would not be compassionate, responsible or possible to continue festival. Therefore, all festival events for Sunday June 7th are cancelled.”






