TOLEDO, Ohio — A massive manhunt is underway after gunfire erupted near a historic community street festival on Saturday evening, June 6, 2026, leaving at least 12 people injured and sending hundreds of screaming families scrambling for cover.

The shooting occurred at approximately 5:37 p.m. near the 53rd annual Old West End Festival, a popular two-day neighborhood celebration in Toledo featuring live music, food vendors, and historic home tours. What was supposed to be the peaceful, unofficial start to the city’s summer festival season instantly transformed into a zone of terror.

According to Toledo Deputy Police Chief Joe Heffernan, preliminary investigations indicate that the mass casualty incident began when at least two individuals drew weapons and began trading gunfire. "It appeared they were probably shooting at each other," Heffernan told reporters during a late-night press conference.

The bullets tore through a neighborhood arboretum packed with festival-goers listening to live music. Witnesses described an immediate shift from community celebration to pure panic as the distinct ring of gunfire echoed through the crowd.

"Everybody hit the deck," said Kevin Berry, a U.S. Navy veteran with medical training who was sitting in the arboretum when the shooting began. Berry recounted that when he looked up, he saw a firearm tossed onto the ground less than 50 feet away from where he lay.

Utilizing his military medical training, Berry moved through the chaos to assess the wounded. "The folks who were hit were spread out around the arboretum area," Berry added, noting that he personally treated or saw at least five victims suffering from gunshot wounds before emergency services could arrive.

Toledo police confirmed that at least 12 people were struck by bullets. The victims represent a broad cross-section of the community, ranging in age from 14 to 61 years old, though authorities noted the majority of those injured are in their early 20s.

Medical officials confirmed that two of the victims remain in critical condition.

The sudden influx of panicked festival-goers attempting to flee the historic district created massive traffic gridlock, initially complicating the emergency medical response. Toledo Fire Chief Allison Armstrong noted that closed perimeter roads and heavy traffic made getting to nearby hospitals difficult, but emergency responders successfully stabilized and transported all 12 patients from the scene within an hour.

Toledo City Councilwoman Theresa Morris, who represents the district, echoed the emotional weight of the tragedy on the close-knit neighborhood. "This tragedy is really weighing heavily on both the residents and those who visit and enjoy this festival year after year," Morris said.

As of Sunday morning, a massive police presence remains in Toledo’s Old West End as a multi-agency search continues for the shooters. No suspects have been publicly identified or taken into custody.