By June Boyd
Guest Column
Saturday, June 6, 2026, the 53rd Annual Old West Festival became the wild, wild west. Most of us are scratching our heads and asking why?
On what began as a fun day, my parish, St. Martin de Porres, proudly participated in the King Wamba parade. Seniors including myself rode in a van, waving to residents and passing candy to the children with smiling faces; a little rain, but the sun came out after the parade was over.
Little did we know, six hours later, that some gun men had ideas of violence and possibly killing someone.
According to news reports, 12 people were shot, two in critical condition in what was called a “shoot out” between two people. That travesty is only part of what is wrong. The bright-eyed children, the happy residents, so proud of the neighborhood, the vendors local and from out of town all had to shut down, for the safety of all involved.
The other part of this tragedy, a couple of days prior to the shooting, our determined city officials held a press conference acknowledging the lives lost to gun violence and committed to “stop the violence.” What a disgrace. The city of Toledo has now joined the nationwide dilemma of negative publicity: gun violence. How do we end this cancer?
Let us begin with apprehending the perpetrators. They must be caught and punished to the full extent of the law. For someone to destroy an annual neighborhood festival, a chance for people to celebrate together, is reprehensible. I witnessed the happy faces of the children, the hard work the festival committee had made to make sure the guests would enjoy, and above all the residents who proudly welcome so many into the community. This is the last straw.
There must be a solution to this senseless violence. Where are the guns coming from? And why so easy to acquire? What has happened today that would give someone an idea that this action is okay?
It is not, and the punishment should be as severe as the laws allow, to send a message to anyone else who feels it is okay to kill or maim. I have many times through group activity asked the administration to supply ring cameras on porches if the homeowner permits. It would be much easier to identify the bad guys.
In closing, our prayers to the victims for a speedy recovery, and a determination in spite of this heinous act, we as a community will not give up on peace, love and coming together. We must support our city leaders, law enforcement, ministers and families and anyone who can made a difference. We must stop the violence. We can become a community of PEACE, LOVE AND PARENTING.