Ohio festival shooting: 12 wounded as gunmen open fire at family celebration

Twelve people were shot, two of them critically, when gunmen opened fire at a community festival in Toledo, Ohio – violence that police said appeared to be a shootout between two people. The attack happened at around 5.37pm local time on Saturday at the Old West End Festival, a two-day event celebrating one of the largest historic districts in the country with live music, food markets, a beer garden and house tours. Toledo Deputy Police Chief Joe Heffernan said two people fired weapons and were “probably shooting at each other”. The victims, whose ages ranged from 16 to 61, were taken to hospital. Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz told local news outlet WTOL 11 that all were expected to survive – 10 in stable condition and two in critical condition. Police Lt Dan Gerken said he had never seen anything like it. “Twelve people being shot, that’s the most I’ve been to a scene. I’ve been to a lot of scenes, but this is way over the top,” he told reporters. Footage shared online, which the BBC has not independently verified, appeared to show people running and screaming as a volley of gunshots rang out. Eyewitness Tito Aguilar told CBS News he was ordering food when he saw a group of juveniles attacking another young person. He started recording on his phone, then heard gunshots and ran. He later returned to find his friends and saw several people with apparent injuries. Police said they were talking to victims and witnesses and reviewing camera footage. Heffernan said it was “a shame a few people, for whatever reasons going through their head, decide to disrupt something that has been a beloved community event for many, many, many years”. The investigation includes the area of Delaware Avenue and Robinwood Avenue, where the festival’s music and food area was located. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine said he was “deeply concerned” and that summer festivals “should be safe spaces for families”. Festival organisers cancelled the remainder of the event. In a statement, they said: “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 neighbourhood. We are heartbroken about those that were injured at the Old West End Festival.”