Manhunt after 12 people shot near festival in Toledo Ohio

Police say they are searching for suspects after at least 12 people were shot near a festival in Toledo, in the midwestern US state of Ohio.

The Toledo Police Department said 10 people “are reported to be in stable condition, while two remain in critical condition”.

It said it responded to a report of a shooting near the Old West End Festival at around 17:37 local time (21:37 GMT) on Saturday.

Toledo Deputy Police Chief Joe Heffernan said it appeared that two people fired weapons and they were “probably shooting at each other”.

Footage shared online – which the BBC has not yet independently verified – appears to show people running and screaming as a volley of gunshots rings out.

The victims’ ages ranged from 16 to 61. Police Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz earlier told local news outlet WTOL 11 that they all were expected to survive.

Eyewitness Tito Aguilar told the BBC’s US partner CBS News he was ordering food when he saw a group of “juveniles” attacking another young person.

Aguilar said he started recording on his phone and then heard gunshots. He then ran from the area, he said, but eventually returned to find his own friends and saw several people with apparent injuries from the shooting.

Police Lt Dan Gerken expressed shock at the level of violence.

“Twelve people being shot, that’s the most I’ve been to a scene. I’ve been to a lot of scenes, but this is way over the top,” he told reporters.

Gerken said police were talking to victims and witnesses and reviewing camera footage. He appealed for help from locals.

The Old West End Festival describes itself as “a two-day event celebrating one of the largest historic districts in the country with live music, multiple food markets, a beer garden, house tours, shopping, and much more”.

Heffernan told reporters: “It’s just a shame a few people, for whatever reasons going through their head, decide to disrupt something that has been a beloved community event for many, many, many years.”

“It’s just… horrible.”

Police say the investigation currently includes the area of Delaware Avenue and Robinwood Avenue. A map on the festival website suggests a music and food area was at that intersection.

Other clips shared online appear to show two people being wheeled away in stretchers, and several injured people lying on a grassy area near a marquee.

“I am deeply concerned about the situation in Toledo tonight,” Ohio Governor Mike DeWine said in a statement on social media.

“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 law enforcement will locate the suspects involved in this senseless crime.”

Source: bbc.co.uk