A shooting near a Toronto street festival on Saturday evening resulted in the deaths of two men and injuries to four other people, according to police. The incident occurred near St. Clair Avenue West and Arlington Avenue, where the Salsa on St. Clair festival was taking place.
Police Response and Initial Concerns
Toronto Police Deputy Chief Frank Barredo stated that the shooting was reported at 8:12 p.m. Investigators recovered two firearms at the scene. The incident initially prompted an active-shooter warning, but Barredo clarified that it was an exchange of gunfire between two individuals targeting each other. “There was some concern about an active shooter. That turned out not to be the case,” he said. However, he emphasized that the two gunmen “indiscriminately put vast numbers of people in danger.”
No suspects had been arrested by the time of a late-night news conference. Officers urged the public to avoid the area before later announcing the scene was secured. Both deceased victims were confirmed to be men.
Witness Accounts
Valerie Rodriguez, who was sitting outside a nearby restaurant, described the chaos. “A bunch of people … told us to lay down onto the floor,” she said. “We got scared because we didn’t know exactly what was happening.” Festival vendor Patsy Gutierrez said she saw “a huge wave” of people fleeing while serving customers. “Everybody started getting frantic and then we stopped serving,” she said. “I don’t think it should be something that’s happening at these types of events.”
Official Reactions
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow expressed outrage. “I’m deeply disturbed and angry about this reckless and irresponsible act of violence right in the middle of a festival attended by families,” she said. Ontario Premier Doug Ford posted on social media, “I am devastated by the senseless violence at the Salsa on St. Clair Festival that has claimed two lives and injured others.”
Toronto, Canada’s largest city, is considered one of North America’s safest major cities. Fatal shootings in public places are relatively rare. Barredo noted, “Toronto is one of the safest cities in the world but we are 3 million people and unfortunately we are not immune.”
A large police presence remained around the festival, an annual celebration of Latin American culture that draws thousands to the St. Clair West neighborhood for live music, dancing, food, and cultural performances.
