Two killed in shooting at Toronto Latin culture festival
Toronto police said gunfire was exchanged between two people at Salsa on St. Clair, where at least four others were injured.
By Daniel Okafor · Business Editor
2 min read
Toronto police are searching for suspects after a Saturday night shooting at a crowded Latin culture festival killed at least two people and injured at least four others. The violence struck Salsa on St. Clair, an annual two-day event in Canada’s largest city, while at least 13,000 people were in attendance, according to Toronto Police Service Deputy Chief Frank Barredo.
Barredo told reporters Saturday night that investigators believe two people exchanged gunfire at the festival. He said no arrests had been made, two firearms had been recovered and police were working through at least three crime scenes.
The deputy chief said the shooting appeared to involve people aiming at one another while putting a large crowd at risk. Police did not identify the people killed or injured in the information reported, and no suspect descriptions were provided.
Salsa on St. Clair is a festival celebrating Latin culture in Toronto. Police responded to the event Saturday night after the shooting, and the investigation continued into Sunday.
Festival organizers said in a statement on their website that they were shocked and saddened by the attack. They offered condolences to the families of the two people killed, those who were injured and others affected by the violence.
The organizers also said the festival would not continue on Sunday, July 12, because of the police investigation at the scene. The event had been scheduled as a two-day gathering.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Saturday on social media that he was horrified by the shooting. He said his prayers were with grieving families, people in critical condition and everyone affected, and said police had his full support as they worked to catch those responsible.
The shooting comes in a city where fatal shootings are uncommon compared with many large North American cities, NPR reported. Canada has strict gun laws, and Toronto historically has had lower levels of gun crime, though the city has seen more gun violence in recent years, NPR reported.
NPR reported that the rise in gun violence in Toronto has been linked to gang activity. Toronto police data showed at least 33 shootings in the city this year as of July 5, according to NPR.
Police have not said when they expect to release more information about the suspects or the victims. The investigation remained focused on multiple scenes tied to the gunfire at the festival, according to Barredo.
This story draws on original reporting from NPR.