Multiple victims shot near popular festival as attendees are forced to run for their lives while terrified witness describes horrific scenes and cops desperately hunt suspect

Multiple people were shot near a historic annual festival in Ohio, prompting a massive emergency response and sending people running for their lives.

Toledo and Lucas County police and multiple medical units responded to the Old West End Festival just after 5:30 p.m. Saturday following reports of a person shot near Delaware Avenue and Glenwood Boulevard, according to authorities.

Upon arrival, officers encountered multiple shooting victims, many of whom were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment.

Witness Kevin Berry told the Daily Mail that he personally observed at least five or six victims being hit by gunfire, one with a graze wound and another with a gunshot wound to the head.

He said that during the chaos he saw an elderly woman, who he believed showed signs of a heart attack, fall to the ground.

Berry, a Navy veteran with medical training, said he heard up to eight gunshots and saw one gun fall, but did not see the shooter, who he believed fled on foot.

‘The Toledo Police Department is actively searching for the suspect or suspects involved in the incident,’ authorities said in a news release.

Berry said the first gunshots were heard while the band was still playing, and the gunshots came out of nowhere. He also shared that it seemed completely random, with no clear goal or intention.

Witness Kevin Berry told the Daily Mail that he personally observed at least five or six victims being shot.

An eyewitness wrote on Facebook: ‘People were bleeding. ‘Emergency services were called’

He added that he ran around to flag down police officers to people who had been shot, and that police arrived at the scene “quickly.”

Videos shared on social media showed chaos as people fled the scene, injured victims were seen walking in bloody clothing and others were carried away on stretchers.

Defiance, Ohio resident Tony Toledo shared: Creepy post on Facebook He said he attended the Old West End Festival to relive his college days when shots were fired just 100 feet away from him.

‘I was eating ribs. I dropped the ribs. Everyone in the park collapsed. I’m fine,’ Toledo wrote.

‘I didn’t know that the shooter ran past me from three meters away. “He dropped his gun on the ground 10 meters away from me,” he added. ‘Another attendee was standing over the gun yelling at the police to take it away. The police took it immediately.’

‘People were bleeding. “Emergency teams were called,” Toledo wrote, adding that he had learned that two people had died, but this detail had not yet been confirmed by the police.

‘A police officer waving an automatic rifle was shouting at us to leave the park,’ he said. ‘He didn’t need to tell me twice.’

Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz told the local outlet WTOL 11 News There are believed to be eight victims and all are expected to survive.

Witness Berry said he heard up to eight gunshots and saw a gun fall, but did not see the shooter, who he believed fled on foot.

Witness Berry said the shooting seemed to happen suddenly, with the first gunshots heard while the band was still playing.

Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz told local broadcaster WTOL 11 News that at this time all victims are expected to survive

The multi-agency response includes Toledo police, Lucas County Sheriff’s deputies, Ohio State Highway Patrol and Toledo Fire and Rescue

Videos shared on social media showed the chaos as people fled the scene, injured victims walked away in bloody clothing and others were carried away on stretchers.

Police and multiple medical units from Toledo and Lucas County responded to the Old West End Festival on Saturday just after 5:30 p.m. A file photo from the festival

However, the severity of the injuries, ages and identities of the victims are not yet known.

Police have since closed Detroit Avenue near West Delaware Avenue.

The multi-agency response includes Toledo police, Lucas County Sheriff’s deputies, Ohio State Highway Patrol and Toledo Fire and Rescue.

“The investigation currently involves scenes in the area of ​​Delaware Avenue and Robinwood Boulevard,” the Toledo Police Department said.

“Residents and visitors are asked to avoid the area and expect a significant police presence as officers continue their search and investigators work to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident,” officials added.

One Statement made to FacebookOhio Governor Mike DeWine wrote: ‘I am deeply concerned about the situation in Toledo tonight.’

‘Summer festivals should be safe spaces where families can spend time together without fear of violence,’ he added.

DeWine concluded his statement by saying he was ‘praying for everyone affected by the incident at the Old West Festival’ and was ‘confident that law enforcement will find the suspects involved in this senseless crime.’

The incident comes as Toledo hosts the 53rd West End Festival, described as ‘the biggest party of the year’ celebrating ‘one of the country’s greatest historic districts’.

Live music, dozens of food vendors, a beer garden, house tours and shopping kicked off Saturday morning with the King Wamba Carnival Parade, which opened the two-day event.

The Toledo Police Department did not immediately respond to comment.

Anyone with information can text Crime Stoppers or call 419-255-1111. You can remain anonymous.

This is breaking news…