Ohio officials, candidates respond after 12 people injured in weekend mass shooting
A dozen people were shot in a mass shooting over the weekend near a popular Toledo neighborhood festival. Ohio politicians and candidates offered prayers while advocates called for new gun violence prevention laws.
All 12 victims are reported to be in stable conditions and their ages range from 14-61, according to the Toledo Police Department. No arrests have been made as of Monday afternoon.
There have been 217 mass shootings in the United States so far this year, according to MassShootingTracker.site.
The shooting happened Saturday night around 5:37 p.m. near the Old West End, a historic Toledo neighborhood that was celebrating its 53rd annual festival.
“It’s just a shame when a few people, for whatever reason going through their head, decide to disrupt something that has been a beloved community event for many, many, many years,” Toledo Deputy Police Chief Joe Heffernan said during a Saturday night press conference.
There were at least two shooters who were likely shooting at each other, he said.
“If we have some people out there, some groups of young people that are thinking that this is exciting, it’s not,” Heffernan said. “This is a perfect example of how, when bullets start flying, they can go anywhere, they can strike anybody.”
Toledo Police are asking for the community’s help and for people to come to share any videos they might have taken that could lead to the suspects.
“I am deeply concerned about the situation in Toledo,” Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said. “Summer festivals should be safe spaces for families to spend time together without fear of violence. Fran and I are praying for everyone impacted by the incident at the Old West End Festival.”
DeWine signed a bill into law in 2022 that got rid of all training, background check, and permitting requirements to carry a concealed weapon.
A 2021 law no longer requires people to retreat before they can justifiably hurt or kill someone with a gun in self-defense.
Ohio received an F on the Giffords annual gun law scorecard.
“(Ohio) has very, very weak gun laws,” said Danniyal Ahmed, a senior federal policy attorney with Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence.
“We really hope the legislature takes this opportunity to maybe reconsider its strategy on this policy area.”
Ohio state Sen. Willis Blackshear Jr., D-Dayton, called on his fellow lawmakers to take action on gun legislation.
“This isn’t a Democrat issue or a Republican issue, but a human issue,” he said in a statement Monday.
“I’m asking Governor DeWine to revisit the commonsense gun legislation he proposed after the 2019 mass shooting in Dayton and fight for its passage. Gun violence is an expense that our cities and our state can no longer afford.”
After a 2019 mass shooting in Dayton killed nine people, chants of “do something” drowned out Gov. DeWine’s speech during a vigil for the victims.
Ohio politicians were quick to offer their thoughts and prayers.
“Our community is in pain as a result of senseless gun violence in Toledo’s storied Old West End community,” Ohio Democratic U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur said. Kaptur represents the Toledo area in Congress.
“Praying now for victims and our Old West End community — one of the most joyous and celebrated events in our region will endure. It will take time and work to restore comfort, security, and trust.”
Derek Merrin, a Republican who is competing for Kaptur’s seat in Congress in the general election, thanked the first responders.
“Please join me in praying for the victims, their families, and everyone affected by tonight’s shooting,” Merrin said. “Let’s pray that law enforcement will apprehend the individuals who carried out this horrendous act.”
Ohio Republican U.S. Sen. Jon Husted said he is praying for those affected by the “senseless violence.”
Ohio Republican U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno said he has been in touch with Toledo authorities.
“To the thugs behind this lawless violence: we will find you, arrest you, and prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law. This will not stand,” Moreno said in a statement.
Ohio’s gun legislation
Ohio Senate Republicans recently passed a bill that would penalize local governments for enacting gun safety regulations.
Ohio Senate Bill 278 allows anyone to sue municipalities that have gun safety laws. It also would let judges fine cities, award money to plaintiffs, and require cities to pay all legal fees. Ohio Senator Terry Johnson, R-McDermott, introduced the bill.
Ohio Senate Bill 392 would ban cities or townships from making their own weapons restrictions by making gun and knife laws uniform across Ohio. Ohio Sen. Al Cutrona, R-Canfield, and Johnson introduced the bill, which has had one hearing.
Ohio Democratic lawmakers introduced various bills intended to prevent gun violence, but they have had no hearings so far. They include:
Ohio House Bill 45 would prohibit certain firearm transfers without a background check. Ohio Reps. Cecil Thomas, D-Cincinnati, and Rep. Rachel Baker, D-Cincinnati, introduced the bill.
Ohio House Bill 351 would create the Ohio Task Force on Gun Violence, which would study gun violence as well as programs to reduce gun violence. Ohio Reps. Darnell T. Brewer, D-Cleveland, and Karen Brownlee, D-Symmes Twp., introduced the bill.
Ohio House Bill 901 would penalize adults who leave firearms accessible to minors. Brewer introduced the bill.
Requiring background checks on all gun sales and having laws in place to prevent children from accessing firearms are two starting points when it comes to reducing gun violence, Ahmed said.
“When we see these events that are both really horrific and also gain state and national attention, that’s the time for politicians to actually look to see what has worked in other places, and what the weaknesses in their state’s laws, and take action,” he said.
This story was originally published June 9, 2026 at 9:38 AM.