US: 12 injured after shooting near festival in Ohio, police hunt suspects

US: 12 injured after shooting near festival in Ohio June 7, 2026At least 12 people were wounded in a shooting near a community festival in Toledo, Ohio, on Saturday, police said. Two victims were in critical condition, according to Toledo Deputy Police Chief Joe Heffernan. Authorities said an active search was underway for the suspects after gunfire broke out near the Old West End Festival. Heffernan said at least two people appeared to be firing weapons, "probably shooting at each other." How did the Ohio festival shooting unfold? The Toledo Police Department said in a statement on X that they responded to reports of a shooting at 5:37 pm (2137 GMT) on Saturday. "Upon arrival, officers discovered multiple shooting victims," the statement said, adding that many victims were taken to nearby medical facilities. Videos posted on social media showed people running as gunshots rang out, while emergency responders treated victims at the scene. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine said he was "deeply concerned" by the violence, adding that summer festivals "should be safe spaces for families to spend time together without fear of violence." The annual Old West End Festival is a two-day event featuring live music, food vendors and home tours in Toledo's historic district. George Kral, director of public safety for Toledo, said several hundred people were at the festival. Thousands of people die annually of gunshot wounds across the US. The Gun Violence Archive website has recorded 172 mass shootings so far this year. Edited by: Rana Taha