TOLEDO, OH - At least a dozen people, ages 14-61, were injured in a mass shooting at a Toledo festival on Saturday, June 6, according to authorities.
Two of the injured individuals remain in critical condition, police said. No one has been arrested for the shooting as officers continue to search for suspects, ABC13 reported. Police said there appear to be at least two shooters. The Toledo Police Department (TPD) is encouraging anyone with video footage or witness accounts of what happened to contact them.
Police were called out to the area of Delaware Ave. and Glenwood Ave. just after 5:30 p.m. on Saturday evening. As police searched for the suspected gunmen, they shut down multiple roads in the area. Investigators are working hard to figure out what led up to the violent incident.
Anyone with information can text or call Crime Stoppers at 419-255-1111. All tips may be submitted anonymously. Toledo's Director of Public Safety and former Chief of Police, George Kral, noted that there were several hundred people in attendance at the event and that their cell phones could contain valuable evidence.
"I know in my heart that footage is out there. So I am imploring my fellow Toledoans to look through your cell phone video and reach out to TPD and help them catch the people who did this,” Kral said. “This is one of the most iconic festivals in Toledo, and it’s a shame that something like this had to ruin it."
Old West End Fest organizers said the event was canceled for Sunday, June 7, saying the decision came after discussion with city officials and law enforcement.
"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,” the statement from festival organizers read. "Many people want to know how we proceed from such a dark place,” the statement continued. “We feel it would not be compassionate, responsible, or possible to continue the festival."
Toledo City Council member John Hobbs III is calling for community unity and witness cooperation, WTOL reported. "We want everyone to understand that Toledo is a safe place to be," Hobbs said, "and we cannot allow the evil actions of others to prohibit us from enjoying a safe summer in such an amazing city."
Saturday's mass shooting marks the second incident at or near a community festival in recent weeks, after an incident raised concerns about safety at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Festival the Saturday before. "I need everyone to understand the actions that took place in our city last weekend, the actions that took place yesterday, this is not what Toledo is. This is not who we are and what we stand for," Hobbs said.
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