Toledo Police Search For Suspects After 12 People Shot Near Old West End Festival

Police searched for suspects after 12 people were shot near the Old West End Festival in Toledo, Ohio, with the Toledo Police Department saying 10 were reported to be in stable condition and two remained in critical condition.

The BBC reported the shooting was reported to have happened at around 17:37 local time (21:37 GMT) on Saturday near the festival, and Toledo Deputy Police Chief Joe Heffernan said it appeared that two people fired weapons and they were "probably shooting at each other".

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The AP said the gunfire erupted Saturday near the Old West End Festival, a popular annual summer gathering along streets dotted with Victorian homes, and it said the remainder of the festival was canceled Sunday.

Victims ranged in age from 16 to 61, according to the BBC, and the AP said the victims were in stable condition and ranged from teenagers to people in their 60s.

Toledo police Lt. Dan Gerken told the BBC, "Twelve people being shot, that's the most I've been to a scene," as investigators reviewed camera footage and urged locals to help.

Toledo Deputy Police Chief Joe Heffernan told reporters it appeared that at least two people fired weapons and were "probably shooting at each other," while the BBC said the BBC had not yet independently verified footage shared online showing people running and screaming as gunshots rang out.

Lucas County Prosecutor Julia Bates vowed "justice will be swift and strong" in a statement, and the AP said she added that those frightened, traumatized or harmed by the violence would remain at the forefront of efforts.

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The AP also said Toledo police urged festivalgoers to come forward with photos or videos that might have caught a glimpse of the suspects, and it said investigators were continuing to make progress and were following multiple leads.

The BBC quoted Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz saying, "Summer festivals should be safe spaces for families to spend time together without fear of violence," and it said he and his wife were praying for everyone impacted.

Toledo police Lt. Dan Gerken told the BBC, "Twelve people being shot, that's the most I've been to a scene," and the AP said he asked, "As far as violence, this is over the top, right?"

The AP said the remainder of the festival was canceled Sunday, with organizers saying it "would not be compassionate, responsible or possible" to continue through the weekend.

Fire Chief Allison Armstrong told the AP it was difficult for emergency responders to get the injured to the hospital due to closed roads and traffic leaving the festival, but the AP said all were transported within an hour.

The AP described Kevin Berry sitting in the neighborhood arboretum listening to live music with friends when he heard gunshots, and Berry said, "Everybody hit the deck," before seeing a gun being tossed to the ground less than 50 feet (15 meters) away.

The BBC said police were searching for suspects and were reviewing camera footage after responding to a report of a shooting near the Old West End Festival at around 17:37 local time (21:37 GMT) on Saturday.

In Toledo, Ohio, the investigation included the area of Delaware Avenue and Robinwood Avenue, and the BBC said a map on the festival website suggested a music and food area at that intersection.