TOLEDO, Ohio – Toledo officials are urging the public to provide videos and information to investigators after a shooting near the city’s annual Old West End Festival left at least 12 people wounded.
Officials said extensive security measures had been in place for the popular event, including additional police officers, off-duty security personnel, and mobile surveillance cameras connected to the department’s real-time crime center.
Deputy Chief Joe Heffernan said officers responded immediately when gunfire erupted near the festival.
“We had extra officers on duty today for the festival, plus there was a large contingency of off-duty officers that were working for the festival itself,” Heffernan said.
Police said they believe a substantial amount of evidence has been collected, including video footage from surveillance systems and other sources.
“There is a lot of evidence. It’s just a matter of going through a lot of that evidence,” Heffernan said.
Heffernan added that the violence unfolded quickly but was brought under control just as rapidly because officers were already stationed nearby.
“I think it is ridiculous that you can’t have this event without people just being safe and we were out last night and we were home today just hanging out - but why, that’s the question, why?” neighbor Shawn Kellerbauer said.
The shooting that occurred on Saturday (June 6) disrupted one of Toledo’s most well-known community events, a decades-old festival held in the city’s historic Old West End neighborhood.
“It’s just a shame when a few people, for whatever reasons, are going through their heads, decide to disrupt something that has been a beloved community event for many, many years,” Heffernan said.
Authorities said investigators will work to determine not only who was responsible but also what motivated the shooting.
As summer begins, Toledo officials said they’re preparing for additional public events, and Heffernan said police will increase community outreach efforts, particularly among young people.
“This is a perfect example of how when bullets start flying, they can go anywhere, they can strike anybody,” Heffernan said.
Toledo Public Safety Director George Kral, speaking on behalf of Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz, echoed officials’ requests for public assistance.
“There were several hundred people there tonight, and everybody has one of these,” Kral said while referencing cellphones. “I know in my heart that footage is out there.”
Kral urged residents to review videos and photographs taken during the festival and share any potentially useful information with police.
“This is one of the most iconic festivals in Toledo, and it’s a shame that something like this had to ruin it,” Kral said.
For those concerned about retaliation or personal safety, Kral emphasized that anonymous reporting options are available through Crime Stoppers and other channels.
“It’s a great neighborhood. We are still going to do what the neighborhood does. It’s a great diverse community, coffee shops going to remain open, church is still going to have church. Our safety folks, we pray for them too as well because they are concerned. Right now, what do we do?” Kellerbauer said.
“If someone is worried about their personal safety, we can take care of that,” Kral said.
Officials said a decision on whether the festival would continue on Sunday had not yet been made and would be determined after discussions with organizers and city leaders.
Meanwhile, Toledo Fire Chief Allison Armstrong praised first responders for their handling of a chaotic and complex emergency scene.
Armstrong said fire and EMS crews entered the area after police secured it, immediately began triaging and treating victims, and then transported them to hospitals.
She said the response was complicated by festival-related road closures, heavy pedestrian traffic, and vehicles crowding nearby streets.
“It was a large scene,” Armstrong said.
Armstrong said Toledo police officers assisted medics by applying tourniquets to some victims before EMS personnel arrived.
According to Armstrong, four to five victims were initially considered critical, and all patients were removed from the scene within about an hour despite the logistical challenges.
“To get 12, 13, 14 patients off scene in conditions like that in an hour is impressive,” Armstrong said.
Armstrong noted that officials were still working to determine the exact number of people affected because some individuals may have left the area in private vehicles before emergency crews could evaluate them.
City Councilman John Hobbs III thanked police officers, firefighters, paramedics, and detectives for their response and called on residents to unite behind the investigation.
“What happened today is not a reflection of what our city is and what we stand for,” Hobbs III said.
Hobbs urged anyone who witnessed the shooting or captured video to assist investigators and stressed the importance of preventing similar incidents during upcoming summer events.
“We have to set a tone that this will not be tolerated anymore in our city,” said Hobbs III.
Authorities said the investigation remains active as detectives continue to review evidence and pursue leads.