2 men killed in mass shooting at Toronto’s Salsa on St. Clair festival

Two men were killed and at least five others were injured during a mass shooting at Toronto’s Salsa on St. Clair street festival Saturday evening.

In a social media post shared at 8:20 p.m., Toronto police issued a warning to the public about an active shooter at the site of the festival near St. Clair and Arlington Avenues.

Police say a total of seven people were found with gunshot wounds and two people were pronounced dead at the scene.

Footage obtained by CityNews shows paramedics performing life-saving measures on at least one victim within a large crowd of spectators.

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Authorities were able to secure the scene shortly after 9 p.m., and have cordoned off several blocks of St. Clair Avenue.

Police have not announced any arrests or shared how many suspects they are looking for.

“A large police presence remains in the area as officers continue their investigation,” police wrote in an update. “Please continue to avoid the area and follow directions from emergency personnel.”

Witnesses tell CityNews they heard multiple gun shots followed by screams from crowds of people who were running for cover.

In a press conference held Saturday evening TPS Deputy Chief Frank Barredo confirmed that two firearms were recovered at the scene.

“This seemed to be an exchange of gunfire between individuals targeting each other,” Barredo said.

He called the shooting a “brazen” and “despicable” display of violence that “indiscriminately [put] vast numbers of people in great danger.”

An estimated 13,000 people attended the free street festival, which is considered Canada’s largest Latino-themed cultural celebration.

At the late-night press conference, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow said she was “disturbed” and “angry” by news of the shooting.

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Prime Minister Mark Carney said he was “horrified” by reports of the mass shooting.

“My prayers are with the families grieving their loved ones, those who are in critical condition, and everyone who has been affected by this horrific event,” he wrote in a social media post shared Saturday evening. “My thanks to the police officers and other first responders whose courage and fast action prevented further tragedy.”

“Police have my full support as they work to apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice,” he added.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford also addressed the shooting say he was “devastated by the senseless violence at the Salsa on St. Clair Festival.”

“My thoughts are with the victims, their families and everyone affected,” he added. “Thank you to Toronto Police and our first responders for responding to this horrific incident. The person responsible must be caught, brought to justice and spend the rest of their life behind bars.”

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said he was “shocked” to hear of the shooting.

“Our prayers are with the families of the two individuals who passed away, and we hope for a full recovery for those injured,” he wrote in a social media post. “May the police find the monster responsible for this innocent loss of life and bring them to justice.”

Timeline of events

Two men were killed and at least five others were injured during a mass shooting at Toronto’s Salsa on St. Clair street festival Saturday evening. In a social media post shared at 8:20 p.m., Toronto police issued a warning to the public about an active shooter at the site of the festival near St. Clair  Local 

Two men were killed and at least five others were injured during a mass shooting at Toronto’s Salsa on St. Clair street festival Saturday evening.

In a social media post shared at 8:20 p.m., Toronto police issued a warning to the public about an active shooter at the site of the festival near St. Clair and Arlington Avenues.

Police say a total of seven people were found with gunshot wounds and two people were pronounced dead at the scene.

Footage obtained by CityNews shows paramedics performing life-saving measures on at least one victim within a large crowd of spectators.

---

Authorities were able to secure the scene shortly after 9 p.m., and have cordoned off several blocks of St. Clair Avenue.

Police have not announced any arrests or shared how many suspects they are looking for.

“A large police presence remains in the area as officers continue their investigation,” police wrote in an update. “Please continue to avoid the area and follow directions from emergency personnel.”

Witnesses tell CityNews they heard multiple gun shots followed by screams from crowds of people who were running for cover.

In a press conference held Saturday evening TPS Deputy Chief Frank Barredo confirmed that two firearms were recovered at the scene.

“This seemed to be an exchange of gunfire between individuals targeting each other,” Barredo said.

He called the shooting a “brazen” and “despicable” display of violence that “indiscriminately [put] vast numbers of people in great danger.”

An estimated 13,000 people attended the free street festival, which is considered Canada’s largest Latino-themed cultural celebration.

At the late-night press conference, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow said she was “disturbed” and “angry” by news of the shooting.

---

Prime Minister Mark Carney said he was “horrified” by reports of the mass shooting.

“My prayers are with the families grieving their loved ones, those who are in critical condition, and everyone who has been affected by this horrific event,” he wrote in a social media post shared Saturday evening. “My thanks to the police officers and other first responders whose courage and fast action prevented further tragedy.”

“Police have my full support as they work to apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice,” he added.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford also addressed the shooting say he was “devastated by the senseless violence at the Salsa on St. Clair Festival.”

“My thoughts are with the victims, their families and everyone affected,” he added. “Thank you to Toronto Police and our first responders for responding to this horrific incident. The person responsible must be caught, brought to justice and spend the rest of their life behind bars.”

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said he was “shocked” to hear of the shooting.

“Our prayers are with the families of the two individuals who passed away, and we hope for a full recovery for those injured,” he wrote in a social media post. “May the police find the monster responsible for this innocent loss of life and bring them to justice.”

Timeline of events