Toronto Mass Shooting: At Least Two Dead and Several Others Injured After Gunfire Erupts at Popular Latin Street Festival

At least two people were killed and several others were injured after gunfire erupted during a busy Latin street festival in Toronto, Canada, on Sunday. The shooting took place shortly after 8 p.m. at the Salsa on St. Clair festival, the Toronto Police Service announced in a post on X.

Police said five people have already been hospitalized with gunshot injuries, while two victims were pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities did not immediately provide details about the conditions of those who were injured. Deputy Chief Frank Barredo of the Toronto Police sought to ease public concerns during a late-night news conference, confirming there was no active shooter threat.

Toronto Under Threat

“This seemed to be an exchange of gunfire between two individuals targeting each other,” Barredo said. “There was some concern about an active shooter. That turned out not to be the case,” he added.

Police recovered two firearms from the scene, but Deputy Chief Frank Barredo said investigators have not identified any suspects or made any arrests.

Authorities have not yet determined whether any of the victims were involved in the exchange of gunfire.

Barredo estimated that around 13,000 people were attending the festival when the shooting began. He urged anyone who captured the incident on their cellphone or has information that could assist the investigation to contact police.

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow said she was “disgusted and angered” by the senseless violence that unfolded at the festival.

“This was a reckless and despicable act of violence at a crowded community event,” Chow said.

She vowed that the Toronto Police would have all the resources necessary to track down those responsible and said officers would continue working around the clock to remove illegal guns from the city’s streets.

Meanwhile, Deputy Mayor Mike Colle described the shooting as an act of “gangster violence.”

“These thugs must be caught,” Colle said during the news conference.

Investigation Launched

Despite the shooting, organizers expect the Salsa on St. Clair festival to continue as scheduled on Monday, although police have cordoned off three active crime scenes as the investigation continues.

CBC reporter Lorenda Reddekopp, who was at the festival when the violence erupted, said she heard “multiple” gunshots.

“As often happens during shootings, some people initially thought the sounds were fireworks,” Reddekopp recalled.

She said many festivalgoers did not react right away, but within moments, panic spread through the crowd and people began running from the area.

Another off-duty CBC producer who was at the festival said the moments after the shooting were chaotic. He recalled seeing parents “shielding” their children from the violence as they rushed to escape.

“People were falling over each other, running into restaurants, knocking over patio furniture,” he said.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford also reacted to the deadly shooting, saying he was heartbroken by the tragedy.

“I am devastated by the senseless violence at the Salsa on St. Clair Festival that has claimed two lives and injured others,” Ford wrote on X.

“The person responsible must be caught, brought to justice and spend the rest of their life behind bars,” he demanded.

“My thoughts are with the victims, their families and everyone affected. Thank you to Toronto Police and our first responders for responding to this horrific incident.”

Ford also thanked Toronto Police officers and first responders for their swift response to what he described as the “horrific incident.”

The Salsa on St. Clair celebration is Canada‘s largest Latin street festival, attracting as many as 340,000 visitors over its free two-day event.