Toledo police, in the state of Ohio (USA), are carrying out intense searches for suspects in a shooting that left 12 injured nearby a festival on Saturday (6). According to the local Police Department, officers were called after reports of shots fired near the Old West End Festivalwhere they found several victims.
According to authorities, of the 12 people affected, two remain in serious condition. The majority of victims have an average age of 20 years.
Lieutenant Dan Gerken classified the extent of the violence as atypical. “Twelve people shot is an excessive number. I’ve been to many crime scenes, but this was far beyond the norm,” he said.
Preliminary investigations indicate that at least two shooters were involved and that “they were probably shooting at each other,” said Deputy Police Chief Joseph Heffernan.
Despite the strong police presence in the region at the time of the incident, the suspects managed to escape and no arrests have been made to date.
Investigative teams search the area, interview witnesses and analyze cell phone videos to identify those responsible. Police ask the community to provide any information that could help locate the shooters and advise residents and visitors to avoid the perimeter.
The Old West End Festival is a traditional annual event in Toledoknown for attracting crowds with live music, street parties e visits to historic homes in the neighborhood.
The episode is another chapter of gun violence crisis in the United Statesa country where the abundance of firearms results in thousands of deaths and injuries every year.
