Police say Ohio festival shooting stemmed from dispute between rival groups

Police said a dispute between two rival groups escalated into a shooting at the Old West End Festival in Toledo, Ohio, on Saturday afternoon. Gunfire erupted just after 5:30 p.m., with two shooters—one from each group—opening fire, injuring a dozen people ranging in age from 14 to 61, most of whom were in their early 20s.

Toledo Police Chief Michael Troendle described the sequence as a foot chase that turned into a physical altercation, after which one participant produced a firearm and fired, followed by return fire from the rival.

"While investigators believe some of the victims are intentionally targeted, the majority of those injured appear to have been innocent bystanders," Troendle said at a briefing.

Police estimate three of the victims were directly involved in the dispute, while nine were caught in crossfire. All are expected to survive; nine have already been released from the hospital, according to Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz.

Fire and Rescue Chief Allison Armstrong noted that bystanders administered tourniquets and comforted the injured after the shooting.

Detectives continue interviewing witnesses and have identified several persons of interest. The suspected gunmen, believed to be between 18 and 24 years old, remain at large. Investigators have recovered two firearms believed to be linked to the incident and are examining them.

Mayor Kapszukiewicz said the city plans to resume the Old West End Festival later in the summer or early September and is considering stronger curfew rules and bag checks for future events. He added that the perpetrators will be held accountable when arrested.