The Old West End Festival is one of Toledo’s most cherished annual traditions, bringing together two days of live music, home tours and community in a historic neighborhood lined with Victorian houses. By Saturday evening, however, the celebration had turned into an active crime scene after twelve people were shot, two critically, while the two suspected shooters left before police could reach them.
As investigators began piecing together what happened, Toledo Police Deputy Chief Joe Heffernan told reporters during a Saturday night press conference that the shooting appeared to involve two people firing at each other near Delaware and Glenwood avenues, while everyone nearby became trapped in the middle of it.
“This is a perfect example of when bullets start flying, they can go anywhere. They can strike anybody,” he said.
The victims ranged in age from 14 to 61, with most in their early twenties.
The scene turned chaotic within seconds. Some hit the ground while others ran. Between golf carts, food trucks and the confusion around them, many could not tell where the shots were coming from.
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Kevin Berry had been sitting in the neighborhood arboretum listening to live music when the shooting started. He told The Associated Press that after hearing the first shots, he looked up and saw a gun thrown to the ground less than 50 feet away from him. Officers already stationed at the festival were moving toward the area while the shooting was still going on.
Another witness described it simply: “Everybody was falling, everybody tripping, couldn’t see what it was, couldn’t see nothing.”
As the night continued, police said no suspects had been taken into custody and the investigation remained in its earliest stages. Authorities also made a public appeal for help, particularly from younger people who may have seen more than they realized.
“There’s kids out there that probably know more than all of us standing here,” Police Lt. Dan Gerken said.
City safety director George Kral also addressed residents while holding up his phone during the press conference.
“I know in my heart that footage is out there,” he said. “I am imploring my fellow Toledoans to look through your cellphone video and reach out to TPD and help them catch the people who did this.”
As investigators searched for answers, organizers made the decision to cancel the festival’s second day, saying continuing “would not be compassionate, responsible or possible.”
Public officials later responded to the shooting as concern spread through the city and beyond.
“What happened today at the Old West End Festival, sadly, has happened in too many American cities. But we should never shrug our shoulders and accept it as the price of living in a free society. As a country, we must do better,” Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz said.
Toledo has faced more adversity over the years than most cities, and our citizens always rally together and pull through. This will be no exception. What happened today at the @OldWestEnd Festival, sadly, has happened in too many American cities. But we should never shrug our…
— Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz (@wadekaps) June 7, 2026
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine also called for the suspects to be found and said: “Summer festivals should be safe spaces for families to spend time together without fear of violence.”
I am deeply concerned about the situation in Toledo tonight. Summer festivals should be safe spaces for families to spend time together without fear of violence. Fran and I are praying for everyone impacted by the incident at the Old West End Festival, and we are confident that…
— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) June 6, 2026
The shooting is one of at least 170 mass shootings recorded in the United States so far in 2026, according to the Gun Violence Archive. All twelve victims are expected to survive, while the two people accused of opening fire had still not been found.
Featured image via YouTube screengrab
