Multiple people shot near festival in Toledo, Ohio

Multiple people were shot on Saturday near a busy community street festival in Toledo, Ohio, and a search for the suspects was ongoing as victims were taken to nearby hospitals, police said.

Toledo police officers responded to a report of a person shot near the Old West End Festival at about 5.30pm. When they arrived, they found multiple shooting victims, the police department said in a statement.

Police said “many victims” were transported to medical facilities but did not provide further details on the injuries and how many people were shot. Authorities also did not provide any details on what may have set off the shooting.

Kevin Berry said he was sitting in the neighbourhood arboretum listening to live music with his friends when he heard a handful of gunshots ring out.

“Everybody hit the deck,” he said.

When he looked back up, he saw a gun being tossed to the ground less than 15 metres (50 feet) away from him. Police officers who were already on-site for the festival immediately responded to the scene.