On Saturday, July 11th, a large-scale shooting incident took place at the biggest Latin street festival in Canada, held in Toronto, according to local police. The incident resulted in at least two deaths and multiple injuries, with authorities currently making every effort to apprehend the suspects.
Toronto police have classified this event as an “active shooter” situation (meaning the shooter was still at large).
Located in Midtown Toronto, the shooting occurred at the “Salsa on St. Clair festival,” a popular annual Latin cultural event that attracts a large crowd, as reported by Canadian news outlet CTV.
Shannon Eames, a spokesperson for the Toronto police, stated that the shooting took place near the intersection of St. Clair Avenue West and Arlington Avenue, the venue for the festival. Two people were killed in the shooting, with five others sustaining gunshot wounds.
Authorities have not yet arrested any suspects and have not immediately disclosed specifics about the shooting incident.
Video footage from CTV showed dozens of black police SUVs, patrol cars, heavy armored vehicles, and ambulances rushing to the scene as festival attendees fled along the sidewalks.
Police indicated that they had secured the scene approximately an hour after the shooting occurred but continue to urge the public to stay away from the area. The “Salsa on St. Clair” festival, celebrating Latin culture, has been held at the location for 22 consecutive years.
Witness Pamela Garcia informed Toronto media outlet CP24 that she heard three gunshots and saw people screaming and fleeing in the crowd.
Another witness, Jacy Lin, recalled being at the salsa dance stage of the music festival; before law enforcement arrived, she witnessed everyone suddenly running toward the stage, followed by the music stopping and people evacuating.
“I was walking over from that side and saw the yellow police tape being put up. I also saw a group of medical personnel escorting a man down; CPR was being performed on him,” Lin said. “He had equipment like an oxygen tank, and it looked grim.”
According to an Associated Press report, Valerie Rodriguez, who was near the scene when the shooting occurred, mentioned that on Saturday evening, she was sitting at a restaurant when people suddenly started screaming and fleeing.
“A group of people… told us to get down on the ground,” she said. “We were scared because we didn’t know what was happening.”
Festival vendor Patsy Gutierrez stated that she was serving customers when she suddenly saw “a large group of people” running.
“People started to panic, and we stopped serving,” she said. “I don’t think such incidents should happen at events like this.”
Ontario Premier Doug Ford released a statement on X platform, saying, “The senseless act of violence at the Salsa on St. Clair festival that took two lives and caused injuries deeply saddens me.”
“My heart goes out to the victims, their families, and everyone impacted by this incident. I appreciate the swift response of the Toronto police and emergency personnel to this awful event. The perpetrator must be apprehended and face justice behind bars for the rest of their life,” Ford remarked.
Toronto is the largest city in Canada and one of the safest major cities in North America. Fatal shooting incidents, especially those involving multiple casualties in public spaces, are relatively rare.