At least two people have been killed in a shooting that tore through Toronto’s bustling St Clair Avenue during its annual Salsa on St Clair Latin festival.
Records show the incident began at approximately 20:12 local time (01:12 BST) when police received reports of an active shooter amid a crowd of about 13,000 spectators enjoying salsa music and dance performances.
Law‑enforcement officers discovered six victims with gunshot wounds. Two were pronounced dead at the scene while the remaining four sustained serious injuries that required emergency medical treatment.
The Toronto Police Service reported that there was an exchange of gunfire between two individuals and that two firearms had been recovered. No arrests have been announced, and the investigation is ongoing.
Deputy Police Chief Francisco Barredo described the setting as "very chaotic" and noted that the department was handling three separate crime scenes connected to the shooting. He asked the public to stay away from the area, as a significant police presence remains in place.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed his horror at the violence, offering prayers to "the families grieving their loved ones, those who are in critical condition, and everyone who has been affected by this horrific event."
Ontario Premier Doug Ford censured the "senseless violence" that occurred during the salsa festival, stating that "the person responsible must be caught, brought to justice and spend the rest of their life behind bars." He thanked first responders and expressed solidarity with the victims and their families.
St Clair Avenue, a midtown Toronto commercial strip lined with shops and restaurants, hosted the festival that year’s 22nd edition of the Salsa on St Clair Latin celebration. The event was scheduled to feature live music and dance, attracting thousands of local and visiting attendees.
Witnesses with information about the shooting are urged by police to come forward and provide details to aid the ongoing investigations.">
