In brief
- The shooting took place in Toledo, Ohio, on Saturday afternoon local time.
- Police said multiple people were injured and a search was underway for the suspects.
Gunfire erupted near a busy street festival in the US state of Ohio, wounding at least 12 people and sending some event-goers scrambling for cover while others rushed to help the victims.
The shooting was in the city of Toledo, with police responding after reports of a person shot near the Old West End Festival about 5.30pm on Saturday, local time (7.30am Sunday AEST).
No suspects were in custody hours afterwards, Toledo deputy police chief Joe Heffernan said, and officials urged people who were at the festival to come forward with any photos or videos on their phones for possible leads.
The shooting happened near the Old West End Festival, an annual gathering of live music and home tours.
Heffernan said it appeared that at least two people fired weapons and they were "probably shooting at each other".
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Two of the victims were in critical condition, Heffernan added.
The ages of the victims ranged from 14 to 61, with most of them in their early 20s.
"I am deeply concerned about the situation in Toledo tonight,” Ohio governor Mike DeWine said in a statement.
"Summer festivals should be safe spaces for families to spend time together without fear of violence."
Multiple videos posted to social media showed people running amid the sound of gunshots and emergency officials tending to others who appeared wounded.
Fire chief Allison Armstrong said it was difficult to get to the hospital due to closed roads and traffic from people leaving the festival, but emergency responders were able to transport all patients from the scene within an hour.
Kevin Berry was sitting in the neighbourhood arboretum listening to live music with friends when he heard a handful of gunshots ring out.
"Everybody hit the deck," he said.
When Berry looked back up, he saw a gun being tossed to the ground less than 15 meyres away from him. Officers who were already on site for the festival responded immediately.
Berry, who has medical training and served in the Navy, walked around looking for anyone who might need help and saw at least five people with gunshot wounds.
"The folks who were hit were spread out around the arboretum area," he said.
The Old West End Festival is a two-day celebration in Toledo’s historic district that includes live music, food vendors, home tours and shopping.
George Kral, safety director for the city, said officials were discussing with organisers whether it would continue through the weekend.
"This is one of the most iconic festivals in Toledo," he said, "and it’s a shame that something like this had to ruin it".
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