At least twelve people were wounded in a mass shooting near a festival in Toledo, Ohio, with two of them having been critically wounded, local police stated on Saturday.
The shooting occurred near the Old West End festival, a two-day event featuring live music and home tours in the city’s historical district.
According to the police, officers responding to a report of a person being shot found multiple victims, and subsequently, “many” victims were transported to nearby medical facilities for treatment.
Toledo Police Deputy Chief Joseph Heffernan told reporters it appeared there were at least two shooters who “probably” began shooting toward each other, and subsequently caught victims in the crossfire.
“This is a perfect example of when bullets start flying, they can go anywhere. They can strike anybody.” Heffernan added.
Two anonymous festivalgoers told CNN affiliate WTOL that they had heard multiple shots and saw “pandemonium” break out, with one saying he had heard at least 10 shots fired.
“Once I heard, ‘Everybody get back,’ everybody was falling, everybody tripping, couldn’t see what it was, couldn’t see nothing,” one of the men said.
The police stated that they were actively searching for the suspect or suspects involved, and asked residents and visitors to avoid the area under investigation.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine expressed his concern for the situation, adding that he was praying for all those impacted by the incident.
