A dozen individuals suffered gunshot wounds Saturday evening when two people engaged in a firefight near a community festival in Toledo, Ohio, according to law enforcement officials.
Two victims remain in critical condition following the incident, authorities revealed during a media briefing. The injured ranged from 14 to 61 years of age, police reported.
The shooting stemmed from two people firing weapons at one another, according to investigators. Police Lieutenant Dan Gerken described the scene to media members, stating: “I’ve been to a lot of scenes, but this is way over the top.”
Law enforcement continues searching for those responsible in what Deputy Chief Joseph Heffernan described as a “pretty active” investigation. “We do have some evidence and we’re following up on some leads,” Heffernan told reporters.
Authorities are interviewing numerous individuals and examining surveillance video, Gerken explained. George Kral, director of public safety for Toledo, appealed to community members for any mobile phone recordings that might assist officers in locating the suspects.
“I know there is information out there,” Kral stated. “Please help us help you.”
Emergency responders were called to the scene at approximately 5:37 p.m. after receiving reports of a shooting victim near the Old West End Festival, the Toledo Police Department announced on Facebook, noting that “many victims have been transported to nearby medical facilities for treatment.”
The festival drew several hundred attendees, Kral noted. “This is one of the most iconic festivals in Toledo, and it’s a shame that something like this had to ruin it,” he commented.
Excluding Saturday’s Toledo incident, the Gun Violence Archive website has documented 171 mass shootings across the United States this year. The organization classifies a mass shooting as an event where gunfire injures at least four people, not counting the perpetrator.
