A mass shooting near the Old West End Festival in Toledo, Ohio, left 12 people injured on Saturday, June 6, as families and festivalgoers gathered for the annual community event. Police said the violence began around 5:37 p.m. near Delaware and Glenwood avenues, just outside the festival area, when at least two people allegedly exchanged gunfire. Officers who were already on site responded quickly after hearing shots and found multiple victims with gunshot wounds.
Authorities said the injured victims ranged in age from 14 to 61, showing that the impact of the shooting reached people across several age groups. Two of the wounded were reported to be in critical condition, while the others were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. As of late Saturday, police said there were no deaths reported. Investigators spent hours interviewing witnesses, collecting evidence, and trying to piece together exactly what happened.
Toledo police have not announced any arrests. Officials said they are following multiple leads and reviewing evidence gathered from different areas tied to the shooting, including spots near Delaware and Robinwood avenues. Police are also asking anyone who attended the festival or was in the area to share photos, videos, or other recordings that could help identify the suspects. Law enforcement said officers were already present at the event and immediately moved to the scene once the gunfire began.
The shooting stunned the community because it happened during the Old West End Festival, a long-running celebration that draws thousands of people each year to one of Toledo’s most historic neighborhoods. What is typically a day focused on family fun, music, and neighborhood pride turned chaotic as people fled for safety after the shooting broke out. Officials described the incident as especially alarming because it happened near an event meant to bring the community together.
Toledo Police Lt. Dan Gerken called the violence “over the top” and urged residents and witnesses to help investigators. Deputy Chief Joseph Heffernan said a few individuals turned a beloved community gathering into a scene of chaos. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine also responded on social media, saying he was deeply concerned by the shooting and stressing that summer festivals should remain safe places for families.
The investigation remains active as police continue searching for those responsible and working to understand how the shooting unfolded. For now, authorities are focused on identifying suspects, supporting the wounded, and gathering more information from the public. The incident has left the Toledo community shaken and raised renewed concern about public safety at large neighborhood events.
