Search for gunmen continues after 12 wounded at outdoor Ohio festival
Search for gunmen continues after 12 wounded at outdoor Ohio festival
IVAN PEREIRA and JACK MOORESun, June 7, 2026 at 3:34 PM UTC
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An urgent search intensified on Sunday for at least two gunmen suspected of opening fire at a crowded outdoor festival in Toledo, Ohio, wounding 12 people caught in the cross fire.
Toledo Deputy Police Chief Joseph Heffernan said it appeared that the two shooters "probably" began firing toward each other during the annual Old West End Festival, a community event celebrating the historic neighborhood.
The ages of those shot ranged from 14 to 61, according to Lt. Dan Gerkin of the Toledo Police Department.
Paul Sancya/AP Photo/Paul Sancya - PHOTO: Ohio Shooting
As of Sunday morning, no arrests had been announced.
Detectives are asking anyone who witnessed the incident or may have photos, videos, or other information to come forward.
Paul Sancya/AP Photo/Paul Sancya - PHOTO: Ohio Shooting
"There were several hundred people there ... and everyone has one of these," George Karl, Toledo's director of public safety, said at a news conference on Saturday evening, pulling out his cellphone.
"I know in my heart that footage is out there," Karl said. "So, I am imploring my fellow Toledoans to look through your cellphone video and reach out to TPD and help them catch the people who did this. This is one of the most iconic festivals in Toledo, and it's a shame that something like this had to ruin it."
Anyone with information is encouraged to call or text Crime Stoppers at (419) 255-1111.
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The incident began unfolding around 5:37 p.m. local time when police received a call for a shooting near the festival.
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Officers assigned to patrol the festival quickly rushed to the shooting scene and began performing first aid on the victims, authorities said.
"We'll dissect what happened and who was responsible, and certainly the motives are going to be one of them," Heffernan said. "You know, why would somebody do something like this? It's horrible."
He added later, "This is a perfect example of when bullets start flying, they can go anywhere. They can strike anybody."
Paul Sancya/AP Photo/Paul Sancya - PHOTO: Ohio Shooting
In a message posted to its website, the festival announced that further events planned for Sunday were canceled.
"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," festival organizers said in a statement. "Many people want to know how we proceed from such a dark place. We feel it would not be compassionate, responsible, or possible to continue the festival."
ABC News' Victoria Arancio contributed to this report.
Source: “AOL General News”
