At Least 2 People Killed and 6 Others Injured During Festival Shooting

At least two people were killed and several others were wounded after gunfire erupted during a crowded street festival in Toronto, sending thousands of attendees running for safety.

The shooting happened at around 8:12 p.m. on Saturday, July 11, near St. Clair Avenue West and Arlington Avenue, where the annual Salsa on St. Clair festival was underway, according to Toronto police.

Police confirmed that two male victims died—one at the scene and another after being taken to a hospital.

Four other people were hospitalized with serious gunshot wounds. Authorities said six people were injured in total.

The victims’ identities have not yet been released.

Toronto Police Service Deputy Chief Frank Barredo said investigators believe the violence involved people deliberately shooting at one another.

“There was an exchange of gunfire between individuals targeting each other,” Barredo said during a July 11 press conference.

An estimated 13,000 people were attending the festival when the shooting broke out. Police recovered two firearms from the scene, but no arrests have been made.

Authorities have also not determined exactly how many suspects were involved.

“I have no additional information in regards to anyone being arrested,” a Toronto police spokesperson said.

Police initially warned of an “active shooter” in a post on X, but Barredo later said investigators had determined that was not the case.

“There was some concern about an active shooter,” he said, according to the Associated Press. “That turned out not to be the case.”

Video obtained by CBC News showed frightened festivalgoers fleeing as police vehicles rushed into the area.

Witness Valerie Rodriguez said people nearby told her and others to get down.

“A bunch of people … told us to lie down on the floor,” Rodriguez told the AP. “We got scared because we didn’t know exactly what was happening.”

Festival vendor Patsy Gutierrez said she saw a “huge wave” of people suddenly running from the area.

“Everybody started getting frantic, and then we stopped serving,” she said.

Barredo said investigators had identified three separate crime scenes connected to the shooting, all of which would require a closer examination.

“This is a very chaotic scene … it’s crowded,” he said. “The brazen despicable quality of this exchange here, the amount of danger to the members of the public, is just so unacceptable.”

He added that the investigation would be especially complicated because of the size of the crowd and the amount of evidence police must review.

“It’s complex because of the sheer number of people involved, the chaotic amount of information, lots of video, witness statements and evidence to pour through … a lot of people to interview and to try to piece it all together,” Barredo said.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney also reacted to the deadly shooting in a statement shared on X.

“I am horrified by the shooting that has killed two people at the Salsa on St. Clair Festival in Toronto,” Carney said. “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 also praised the officers and emergency workers who responded.

“My thanks to the police officers and other first responders whose courage and fast action prevented further tragedy,” Carney continued. “Police have my full support as they work to apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice.”