Two people were killed and four others injured in a mass shooting at a Latin street festival in Toronto on Saturday evening. The attack occurred at the Salsa on St Clair festival near St Clair Avenue West at approximately 8:12 p.m. local time, as around 13,000 attendees had gathered for the event.
Victims and response
At least six people suffered gunshot wounds. Two men were pronounced dead at the scene, while four others were transported to hospital, including a woman, according to a witness who spoke to CP24. No arrests have been made, and no suspect descriptions have been released. Police recovered two firearms at the scene.
Festival-goers described a scene of panic. Vendor Patsy Gutierrez told Toronto Today: 'Everybody started getting frantic and then we stopped serving. I don’t think it should be something that’s happening in these type of events.' William Ajselett, who was lining up for food, said he saw 'a crowd-crushing situation' and feared his wife and friends were caught in the chaos.
Police investigation
Toronto Police initially feared an active shooter, but Deputy Chief Frank Barredo later clarified that this 'turned out not to be the case.' At an 11 p.m. press conference, Barredo stated: 'It’s very difficult to say with certainty what precipitated this. I can tell you that there was an exchange of gunfire between individuals and that two firearms were recovered.' It remains unclear whether any of the suspects were among the victims. Barredo added: 'We will piece together some of those bits of information and when we’re able to share it with the public, we certainly will.'
Political reaction
Mass shootings are rare in Toronto, and politicians expressed shock. Prime Minister Mark Carney said: 'I am horrified by the shooting that has killed two people at the Salsa on St. Clair Festival in Toronto. 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.' Mayor Olivia Chow said the shooting left her 'beyond words,' adding: 'I’m deeply disturbed and angry about this reckless, irresponsible act of violence – and right in the middle of a festival attended by families, children, seniors.' Ontario Premier Doug Ford thanked first responders and demanded that the perpetrator 'be caught, brought to justice and spend the rest of their life behind bars.'
Festival shutdown
Salsa on St Clair, a 22-year-old tradition featuring live music, food stalls, and salsa dancing, was shut down following the incident. The festival's website had promised an 'unforgettable day.' Councillor Josh Matlow noted that earlier in the day, the atmosphere had been 'very peaceful' and 'the vibe was great.'
