Toronto salsa festival shooting: two dead, several wounded

Two people were killed and at least six others wounded in a shooting at a street festival in central Toronto. Police confirmed an exchange of gunfire between two individuals.

Toronto salsa festival shooting: two dead, several wounded

Two people were killed and six others suffered gunshot wounds in a shooting at a street salsa festival in Toronto, Canada. The incident occurred on Sunday evening on St Clair Avenue, where the annual Latin American Salsa on St Clair festival was taking place.

Police received first reports of an active shooter around 20:12 local time. Emergency responders found six victims with firearm injuries at the scene; two were pronounced dead. At a press conference, Toronto Police Deputy Chief Francisco Barredo stated that an exchange of gunfire took place between two individuals and that two firearms were recovered at the scene, according to BBC.

Barredo described the scene as "very chaotic" and estimated that approximately 13,000 people were at the festival when the shots rang out. Police are processing three separate crime scenes and have not made any arrests. Members of the public were urged to stay away from the area, where a heavy police presence remained.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he was "horrified" and offered prayers to the grieving families and all those affected. Ontario Premier Doug Ford condemned the "senseless violence" at the salsa festival, confirming it had "taken two lives and injured others." In a statement on X, he wrote that the responsible person must be caught and spend the rest of their life behind bars.

The Salsa on St Clair festival is a traditional celebration of Latin American culture featuring live music and dance performances. This year's event was the 22nd edition, held from 11 to 12 July on St Clair Avenue in midtown Toronto.

Anyone with information or who witnessed the shooting is asked to contact police. The investigation is ongoing.

Source: Večernji list