Two Killed in Shooting at Toronto Salsa Festival

Two people were killed and at least four others wounded in a shooting at the Salsa on St. Clair festival in Toronto on July 11. The gunfire occurred just after 8 p.m. near St. Clair Avenue West and Arlington Avenue in Midtown Toronto, where the annual event was underway, the Toronto Police Service said.

The incident was reported at 8:12 p.m. local time. Deputy Chief Frank Barredo said the shooting began as an exchange of gunfire between two individuals targeting each other. Investigators recovered two firearms at the scene.

Police initially issued an active-shooter warning before declaring the area secured roughly one hour later. Officers were managing three separate crime scenes connected to the incident. An estimated 13,000 people were present at the festival when the shots were fired, Barredo stated.

No suspects had been arrested as of a late-night news conference. Witness Valerie Rodriguez said she was sitting outside a nearby restaurant when people began screaming and running. “A bunch of people told us to lay down onto the floor,” she said.

Festival vendor Patsy Gutierrez said she saw a huge wave of people fleeing while serving customers. Ontario Premier Doug Ford stated he was devastated by the senseless violence at the Salsa on St. Clair festival.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stated he was horrified by the shooting and offered prayers to those affected. Accounts differ on the number of people wounded, with one report stating four and another stating five.