Twelve people were wounded near the Old West End Festival, and police said the search for suspects continued Sunday.
TOLEDO, OH — Police searched Sunday for at least two suspected gunmen after a shooting near Toledo’s Old West End Festival wounded 12 people Saturday evening, sending crowds running and forcing officials to cancel the rest of the weekend event.
The shooting broke out near a busy community festival that draws families, vendors, musicians and visitors to one of Toledo’s best-known historic neighborhoods. Police said the victims ranged in age from 14 to 61. Two people were first listed in critical condition, but Toledo police said Sunday that those two victims were later considered stable. No arrests had been announced as the investigation continued.
Deputy Police Chief Joseph Heffernan said the gunfire appeared to involve at least two shooters firing at each other near the festival area. The shooting was reported around 5:37 p.m. Saturday, as people were still gathered for the annual Old West End Festival. “It looks like they were probably shooting at each other,” Heffernan said. The shots caused panic near the Agnes Reynolds Jackson Arboretum, where police and medical crews found several wounded people. Authorities said emergency crews moved the injured to hospitals within about an hour, even as traffic and festival road closures made the response harder.
Police said 12 people were shot. The victims included teenagers and adults, with most described as being in their early 20s. Officials did not release all names or detailed injury reports Sunday. Investigators were still working to determine who fired, how many weapons were used and whether anyone else helped the shooters flee. Lt. Dan Gerkin of the Toledo Police Department said the victims’ ages ranged from 14 to 61. Police asked people who were at the festival to share photos, videos or other information that could help identify the shooters. By Sunday, officials had not reported any suspect in custody.
The Old West End Festival is a long-running Toledo event built around the city’s historic Old West End neighborhood. The weekend usually includes live music, food vendors, home tours, an art fair and children’s activities. The shooting changed that scene within seconds. Video shared online showed people ducking, running and hiding as gunfire rang out. Witnesses described confusion as people tried to find family members and help the injured. Kevin Berry, a Navy veteran with medical training, said he helped treat people at the scene after hearing shots and seeing victims scattered in the area.
City and state officials condemned the violence and praised first responders for moving quickly through a crowded public event. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said community festivals should be safe places for families. Toledo officials said the shooting cut short one of the city’s signature summer gatherings and raised questions about security, planning and crowd safety at large outdoor events. Police said they had officers in the area, but the gunfire still erupted near the festival grounds. Officials did not say Sunday whether the people who fired were festivalgoers or had come to the area for another reason.
The remaining Sunday events at the festival were canceled after the shooting. Organizers said they were heartbroken and that public safety had to come first. Investigators spent Sunday reviewing video, searching for shell casings and following leads from people who were nearby when the shooting began. Police said the case remained active and that the number of shooters could change as detectives review evidence. Officials had not announced charges, arrest warrants or a public briefing time by late Sunday morning.
The scene near the arboretum was quieter Sunday, with investigators still focused on the area where crowds had gathered a day earlier. The shooting left festival tents, closed streets and police tape as reminders of a celebration that ended in fear. Residents and visitors who had come for music, food and neighborhood tours instead watched ambulances and police vehicles fill the streets. Officials said the next major step is identifying the shooters and confirming the full sequence of events before any charges are filed.
As of Sunday, June 7, the search for suspects was still underway, the two victims first listed in critical condition were reported stable, and Toledo police continued to seek video and witness accounts from the festival area.
Author note: Last updated Sunday, June 7, 2026.