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.
Multiple people have been shot near a community street festival in the US state of Ohio, with police saying a search for the suspects was ongoing.
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 AEST).
Officers on the scene found multiple people shot and "many victims" were taken to hospitals, the Toledo police department said in a statement.
Authorities did not immediately say how many people were shot, the extent of the injuries or what may have set off the shooting. The department said an active search was underway for those responsible.
"I am deeply concerned about the situation in Toledo tonight. Summer festivals should be safe spaces for families to spend time together without fear of violence," Ohio governor Mike DeWine said in a statement.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
Multiple videos posted to social media showed people running over the sound of gunshots and emergency officials tending to others who appeared wounded.
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 15m away from him. Police officers who were already on-site for the festival immediately responded to the scene.
Berry, who has medical training and served in the US Navy, said he walked around the area looking for potential victims who might need help.
He said he 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.
Sergeant Mohamad Nasser, a spokesman for the Toledo police department, said more information would be released shortly on the department's Facebook and X accounts.
This is a developing story and this article will be updated.
For the latest from SBS News, download our app and subscribe to our newsletter.
