A beloved Ohio street festival turned into chaos when gunfire erupted near the crowd, wounding a dozen people and sending terrified attendees ducking for cover while others tried to help the injured.
The shooting broke out Saturday evening near Toledo’s Old West End Festival, a long-running summer kickoff event known for live music, food vendors, shopping and home tours in the city’s historic district.
Police were called around 5:37 p.m. after multiple shots rang out near the festival grounds.
When officers arrived, they found several victims suffering from gunshot wounds.
Authorities later said 12 people had been hit, with victims ranging in age from 14 to 61. Most were in their early 20s, and all were reported to be in stable condition.
No suspects had been arrested in the days after the shooting, and Toledo police asked festivalgoers to send in any photos or videos that might help investigators identify who opened fire.
Deputy Police Chief Joe Heffernan said investigators believe the violence may have involved at least two shooters firing at one another.
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Heffernan said the shooters were “probably shooting at each other,” according to the AP. Police have not released suspect descriptions or a possible motive.
The violence stunned organizers and city officials, who described the festival as a cherished community tradition.
“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,” Heffernan said.
The department later said detectives were still working through tips and evidence connected to the shooting.
“Investigators continue to make progress and are following multiple leads in connection with Saturday’s shooting near the Old West End Festival,” police commented on X. “At this time, all 12 victims are reported to be in stable condition and continue to improve.”
“The Toledo Police Department appreciates the assistance and cooperation received thus far,” the department added, noting that no arrests had been made.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said the shooting undercut the basic sense of safety families expect when attending summer events.
“I am deeply concerned about the situation in Toledo tonight,” DeWine commented in a statement.
“Summer festivals should be safe spaces for families to spend time together without fear of violence.”
The Old West End Association canceled the festival’s Sunday events after consulting with police, city officials and organizers.
“After discussion with festival organizers, law enforcement and the City of Toledo, we feel that it would not be compassionate, responsible or possible to continue [the] festival,” the organization stated.
The Toledo shooting came just one day before another mass-casualty attack unfolded inside one of the country’s busiest transit hubs.
Six people were stabbed Sunday evening inside New York City’s Penn Station after authorities said an emotionally disturbed man began attacking bystanders near the Amtrak terminals.
The violence erupted shortly after 7 p.m. inside the packed Midtown station.
One victim suffered serious injuries, two others were moderately injured and three more had minor wounds. All six were transported to local hospitals.
Amtrak police tackled the suspect to the ground and took him into custody. A photo posted online showed officers pinning the suspect on the floor near tracks five and six.
“Earlier this afternoon, Amtrak Police responded to a reported stabbing at New York Penn Station,” Amtrak commented in a statement. “The suspect has been apprehended and an investigation is underway.”
Sources told the New York Post that all six victims were men between 30 and 60 years old and appeared to be innocent bystanders.
One of them, 60-year-old Henry Obadiah, said the attacker came at him with terrifying intensity.
“He went at me to kill me! I saw the rage in his eyes,” Obadiah told the outlet.
“The crazy guy locked his eyes on me and just roundhoused me! Clocked me right in the face and I was like, ‘What the f–k?’ And I heard the guy on the escalator say, ‘He’s got a knife! He’s got a knife!’
Obadiah initially thought he had only been punched. “I thought he just punched me. I felt my lip got busted and I saw the blood, but I took a look into my phone and saw the big cut in my face and I just ran up to the cop and said, ‘I just got attacked,’” he added.
Sources identified the suspect as 51-year-old Hector Deleon and said he allegedly carried out the unprovoked attack inside the New Jersey Transit boarding area.
Deleon is believed to be homeless and has a lengthy record that includes at least seven prior arrests dating back to 2008, according to sources cited by the Post.
His past cases include allegations tied to aggravated assault, weapons possession, drug offenses, domestic assault and criminal mischief.
Court records show he pleaded guilty in a 2022 attempted aggravated assault with a deadly weapon case in Essex County, New Jersey, and received a two-year sentence.
By June 2025, he was back in Essex County criminal court on simple assault and criminal mischief charges.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he had been briefed on the attack.
“My heart is with everyone who was injured, their loved ones, and all those shaken by this unacceptable violence. I’m wishing each of the victims a full and speedy recovery,” he tweeted.
“I’m grateful to the Amtrak Police Department and the first responders who acted quickly to apprehend the suspect and provide emergency care,” the mayor continued.
Obadiah, however, blasted the state of public safety in the city after surviving the station attack.
“Something has to be done. The city is getting worse and worse and no one seems to care. This administration? Law and order isn’t the priority! The attackers have more rights than the victims. It’s not surprising that this happened and it doesn’t seem like it’s going to change under this administration,” he remarked.
Hours before the Penn Station attack, Kansas City police were dealing with another violent scene after gunfire injured nine people early Saturday.
Officers were dispatched around 4 a.m. to Troost Avenue after reports of shots fired. When police arrived, they found a large crowd scattering from the area.
Three injured adult women were rushed to a local hospital by emergency crews. Authorities later learned that nine adults had gone to different hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.
No suspects were in custody, and police said officers would continue heavily patrolling the area while the investigation continues.
