Toledo’s summer of gunfire found its way Tuesday evening to Franklin Park Mall, where an argument that started inside ended with multiple shots fired in the parking lot.

Unlike three of four other shootings in Toledo during that violent day, no one was injured in the mall shooting reported just before 7 p.m., but police placed the busy shopping mecca on lockdown afterward while they cleared the scene and began work toward identifying an unknown gunman.

The day had started with Toledo’s 41st homicide of 2021 outside an East Toledo bar, and two other people were less seriously wounded later on. The day’s fifth shooting broke out among members of a large gathering Tuesday evening at Navarre Park, also in East Toledo.

“This has to stop,” Toledo Police Chief George Kral said. “We as a society have to take personal accountability for our emotions and actions. Sadly, some are too quick to use a gun to solve their problems.

“What they fail to realize is when this happens it does not solve problems, it exacerbates them. Now, they have possibly injured someone or taken a life. I believe those using firearms don’t realize how they are affecting their own lives, let alone their victims. Countless lives are forever changed due to a moment of irrational thoughts,” Chief Kral said.

Police were able to make a quick arrest in connection with the fatal shooting reported early Tuesday morning outside the Last Chance Saloon at 457 Oak St. in which Earl Price, 64, of the 1000 block of Liberty Street was wounded several times. He later died at Mercy Health St. Vincent Medical Center.

Michael Marsh, 24, of the 800 block of Kingston Avenue, was arrested and subsequently charged with murder and was held Wednesday in the Lucas County jail in lieu of $1 million bond pending a hearing next Tuesday.

Wounded later Tuesday were Kyle Glover, 37, of the 400 block of Crittenden Avenue, who was shot in that block just after 3 p.m., and Jesse Guillermo, 42, of the 600 block of Federal Street, who was shot in the 3200 block of Mercer Court about 7:40 p.m.

Mr. Glover was admitted to St. Vincent, according to police who said he was shot at least once after getting into an argument with another man. Information about his condition was not available Wednesday.

Both mayoral challengers expressed disappointment in the current administration’s efforts to curb the violence. 

"The shots fired at Franklin Park Mall last night is a picture of Toledo resembling a Wild West picture of early days,”  Toledo mayoral candidate and former mayor Carty Finkbeiner said. “We are one of the most violent cities in America today, and that is unacceptable.”

Mr. Finkbeiner said the Kapszukiewicz administration has consistently failed throughout its four years to halt such violence, and “that it happened in the parking lot of Franklin Park Mall” shows it can happen anywhere in the city.

“My administration successfully fought back against gangs and violence during my three terms as mayor,” he said. “My pledge to Toledo citizens: violence will be halted with a Finkbeiner administration. The Toledo Police Department still is the toughest, most efficient public safety team in Toledo. I’ll stand firmly with and behind TPD.”

Toledo’s summer of gunfire found its way Tuesday evening to Franklin Park Mall, where an argument that started inside ended with multiple shots fired in the parking lot.

Unlike three of four other shootings in Toledo during that violent day, no one was injured in the mall shooting reported just before 7 p.m., but police placed the busy shopping mecca on lockdown afterward while they cleared the scene and began work toward identifying an unknown gunman.

The day had started with Toledo’s 41st homicide of 2021 outside an East Toledo bar, and two other people were less seriously wounded later on. The day’s fifth shooting broke out among members of a large gathering Tuesday evening at Navarre Park, also in East Toledo.

“This has to stop,” Toledo Police Chief George Kral said. “We as a society have to take personal accountability for our emotions and actions. Sadly, some are too quick to use a gun to solve their problems.

“What they fail to realize is when this happens it does not solve problems, it exacerbates them. Now, they have possibly injured someone or taken a life. I believe those using firearms don’t realize how they are affecting their own lives, let alone their victims. Countless lives are forever changed due to a moment of irrational thoughts,” Chief Kral said.

Police were able to make a quick arrest in connection with the fatal shooting reported early Tuesday morning outside the Last Chance Saloon at 457 Oak St. in which Earl Price, 64, of the 1000 block of Liberty Street was wounded several times. He later died at Mercy Health St. Vincent Medical Center.

Michael Marsh, 24, of the 800 block of Kingston Avenue, was arrested and subsequently charged with murder and was held Wednesday in the Lucas County jail in lieu of $1 million bond pending a hearing next Tuesday.

Wounded later Tuesday were Kyle Glover, 37, of the 400 block of Crittenden Avenue, who was shot in that block just after 3 p.m., and Jesse Guillermo, 42, of the 600 block of Federal Street, who was shot in the 3200 block of Mercer Court about 7:40 p.m.

Mr. Glover was admitted to St. Vincent, according to police who said he was shot at least once after getting into an argument with another man. Information about his condition was not available Wednesday.

Both mayoral challengers expressed disappointment in the current administration’s efforts to curb the violence. 

"The shots fired at Franklin Park Mall last night is a picture of Toledo resembling a Wild West picture of early days,”  Toledo mayoral candidate and former mayor Carty Finkbeiner said. “We are one of the most violent cities in America today, and that is unacceptable.”

Mr. Finkbeiner said the Kapszukiewicz administration has consistently failed throughout its four years to halt such violence, and “that it happened in the parking lot of Franklin Park Mall” shows it can happen anywhere in the city.

“My administration successfully fought back against gangs and violence during my three terms as mayor,” he said. “My pledge to Toledo citizens: violence will be halted with a Finkbeiner administration. The Toledo Police Department still is the toughest, most efficient public safety team in Toledo. I’ll stand firmly with and behind TPD.”

Toledo mayoral candidate Carty Finkbeiner announced his 10-point plan to reduce violent crime.  

Violent crime is spiraling out of control especially in our cities and major metropolitan areas across the nation. While Mr. Finkbeiner’s plan to reduce violent crime is admirable and needed, there is no mention in his plan to bolster the family unit.

It was my privilege as a lawyer to practice before the late Judge Andy Devine. Judge Devine was a well respected and compassionate jurist. He said that based on his experience as a juvenile court judge, solid parenting is the way to save children from delinquency and to beat poverty, the culture of poverty and crime, and the decline of our cities.

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“We have to bring back the father,” Judge Devine said. A mom and dad matter most. Their presence. Their love and affection. Their moral teaching. Their example.

These truths were voiced many years ago. They are more pertinent and more needed today than ever before.

There are no perfect parents, but the values that a mom and dad pass on to their children are what made this country great.

I urge Mr. Finkbeiner to add an 11th point to his 10-point plan to fight violent crime by working with faith-based leaders, especially in the neighborhoods where crime is spiking, to help build strong families who in turn can, with God’s help, raise children to be responsible and productive citizens who are not drawn to a life of crime. If one life is saved by this, it will be worth it.

CRAIG COVRETT

Monclova

A 2021 study by "Neighborhood Scout" found that Toledoans have a 1 in 105 chance of being a victim of a violent crime. Alarmingly, the same study put our chances of being a victim of a property crime at 1 in 28. Nearly 95% of every other city in the country ranked safer than Toledo! We should not have to live in fear and, as your mayor, I will restore safety to our streets. 

While Toledo's low "quality of life" rankings are making national news, I plan to reverse this trend and re-establish the pride all Toledoans once shared. Let's get off those unfavorable lists and back on the "Best Cities To Live In" list. TOGETHER WE CAN!

Our once envious Toledo is now an example of "how not to run a city." Wallethub.com ranked Toledo as one of the "worst-run cities" in the country. (Out of the 150 largest cities surveyed, only 32 scored worse in the category of "Financial Stability".) WE CAN DO BETTER THAN THIS!

As many of you are aware, our current water rate structure is dysfunctional at best. This is in large part due to the current lack of leadership in the mayor's office. This vital resource is being neglected and, as your mayor, I will make water safety and affordability one of my highest priorities.

I don't have to tell you, you already know. Due to inept city management, our streets are crumbling at a higher rate than ever. Aside from numerous attempts to raise your taxes, our current mayor has all but given up hope on finding a viable solution. One of the most telling ways to rate our current mayor on his effectiveness is how he manages and spends public funds by comparing the quality of services citizens receive against Toledo's total budget. WE DO NOT CURRENTLY HAVE EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP!

I am entering the ring for the biggest fight of my career, the fight to restore Toledo to the once proud and financially stable city she once was. Will you be in my corner? Please click the link below to help me WIN FOR TOLEDO!