A gunman opened fire at a crowded outdoor festival in Toledo, Ohio, wounding 12 people before police tracked him down and took him into custody, authorities confirmed. The shooting unfolded late Thursday evening at the annual Toledo Cultural Festival, turning a night of food, music, and family gatherings into a scene of chaos and panic.
Toledo police identified the suspect as 24-year-old Darius K. Mitchell, a Toledo resident. Officers arrested Mitchell within hours of the shooting after a brief pursuit on foot through a residential neighborhood near the festival grounds. He faces 12 counts of felonious assault, with additional charges possible as the investigation continues.
A night of celebration turns deadly
The shooting began around 10:15 p.m. at Promenade Park, where thousands had gathered for the festival’s second night, the Guardian reported. Witnesses described hearing a rapid series of gunshots that sent attendees scrambling for cover, knocking over tables and barriers as they fled.
Toledo Police Chief David Vargas said officers stationed at the festival responded within seconds. “Our officers were on scene providing security and immediately moved toward the gunfire,” Vargas told reporters at a Friday morning press conference. “Their quick response prevented what could have been a far worse outcome.”…