12 Wounded in Ohio Festival Shooting as Police Hunt Gunmen

At least 12 people were wounded in a shooting near the Old West End Festival in Toledo, Ohio, on Saturday evening, as police launched a manhunt for at least two gunmen believed to have been firing at each other in a crowded public space. No suspects had been taken into custody as of Sunday morning, according to Fox News.

The Incident

Toledo Police responded to reports of a shooting at approximately 5:37 p.m. local time on June 6 at the Agnes Reynolds Jackson Arboretum, near the site of the annual Old West End Festival — a beloved two-day community celebration now in its 53rd year featuring live music, food vendors, home tours, and shopping.

Officers arriving at the scene discovered multiple victims with gunshot wounds. The victims range in age from 14 to 61, with most in their early 20s. As of Sunday morning, 10 victims were reported in stable condition, while two remained in critical condition. No fatalities have been reported.

Deputy Chief Joseph Heffernan of the Toledo Police Department told reporters during a late-night news conference that investigators believe at least two gunmen opened fire and were “probably shooting at each other,” suggesting a personal dispute rather than a targeted attack on the festival itself. Heffernan acknowledged that security was in place at the event but said the shooting occurred despite those measures.

“It’s just a shame, you know, a few people, for whatever reason, going through their heads, decide to disrupt something that has been a beloved community event for many, many, many years,” Heffernan said, as reported by CBS News.

Investigative Lt. Dan Gerken described the violence as “over the top” and urged anyone with information to come forward.

Witness Accounts

Navy veteran Kevin Berry told The Guardian that he was sitting in the arboretum listening to live music with friends when the gunfire erupted. “Everybody hit the deck,” he recalled. When he looked up, Berry said he saw a gun tossed to the ground less than 50 feet away. Drawing on his medical training from the Navy, he walked through the area looking for victims and found at least five people with gunshot wounds. “The folks who were hit were spread out around the arboretum area,” he said.

Another witness, Tito Aguilar, told CBS News he was ordering food when he saw juveniles attacking another juvenile. He began recording on his cellphone and captured what sounds like at least 10 gunshots. Aguilar said he initially fled the area but later returned to locate his friends and saw several people with apparent gunshot injuries.

Official Response

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine (R) expressed deep concern, stating that “summer festivals should be safe spaces for families to spend time together without fear of violence,” and expressed confidence that law enforcement would locate the suspects, as reported by Deutsche Welle.

Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz struck a defiant tone, writing on social media that while the tragedy “has happened in too many American cities,” Americans “should never shrug our shoulders and accept it as the price of living in a free society.” He added, “Toledo is resilient and it will emerge stronger because of the unity we show in this moment,” according to WTVG/13abc.

Lucas County Prosecutor Julia Bates pledged that “justice will be swift and strong,” noting that her office has pursued additional charges against individuals who fire guns into crowds. Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (D-Toledo) offered prayers and said she would coordinate with local, state, and federal officials to help the community get answers.

Toledo City Council President Vanice Williams, who witnessed the aftermath firsthand, called the shooting “a nightmare for our neighborhood and our City” and emphasized that “the fight to end gun violence has to be a community effort.”

A Troubling Pattern

The shooting adds to a grim history of gun violence in Toledo. According to an investigation by WTVG/13abc, the city has experienced 16 mass shootings — defined as incidents with four or more victims injured, not including the shooter — over the past decade. Notably, arrests have been made in only two of those 16 cases, underscoring a significant challenge in solving such crimes.

Nationally, the Gun Violence Archive has recorded 172 mass shootings in the United States so far in 2026 as of June 7.

What’s Next

As the manhunt continues, authorities have not released descriptions of the suspects or identified a possible motive. Police are urging anyone with information, photos, or video to contact Crime Stoppers at 419-255-1111, noting that tipsters may remain anonymous. The Old West End Association is planning a community support session for residents affected by the tragedy.

The investigation remains active, and federal authorities may become involved as the search for the gunmen continues.