Two dead and four others injured after two suspects exchange gunfire at Canadian salsa festival
Two people have been killed and four others wounded after two gunmen opened fire at one of Canada’s largest Latin festivals.
Panicked revelers raced for safety as police launched an urgent hunt for two male shooters on Saturday evening.
The deadly gunfire erupted during the popular Salsa on St. Clair festival in Toronto, transforming what had been an evening of live music, dancing and celebration into an active crime scene.
There was panic as shots rang out and people scrambled to get away from where the shooting occurred.
Witnesses described how some shielded their children, ran into restaurants and knocked over patio furniture in the process.
Toronto Police confirmed officers were called to reports of a shooting at 8.12pm near the intersection of St. Clair Avenue West and Arlington Avenue, where 13,000 people had gathered for the annual cultural event.
When officers arrived, they discovered six people suffering from gunshot wounds, two of whom were pronounced dead at the scene.
Four others were rushed for to hospital after suffering serious injuries.
Two people have been killed and four others wounded and suffering serious injuries after a gunman opened fire during a street festival in Canada
First responders wheel a stretcher through the festival area after five people were shot during the deadly attack on Saturday evening
Police officers secure the scene after a deadly shooting at Salsa on St. Clair in Toronto
Police have not identified the victims, and investigators had not released any information about a possible suspect as the search continued late into the evening.
Authorities described the situation as an active shooter investigation and urged members of the public to stay far away from the area while officers secured the scene.
‘Please avoid the area immediately,’ Toronto Police said in a social media update.
The shooting unfolded at one of Toronto’s best-known summer celebrations, which had closed a stretch of St. Clair Avenue West between Winona Drive and Christie Street for live entertainment, food vendors and cultural performances.
Ana Bettencourt was only one block from the shooting occurred and thought she could hear ‘muffled powerful fireworks.’
‘And then everyone started running, which obviously then I did the same. We just trampled over each other and were running and took one of the side streets,’ she told CTV.
When she heard a shooter was on the loose, she ducked for cover.
‘That was equally scary. If anything, it was scarier for me then. Myself plus a number of people of course, we started trampling around and running. [I] went to another alleyway and then ducked under a car, just waiting until the commotion died down,’ she said.
‘All I wanted to do was to get out of that area and whatever cost.’
Emergency crews respond to the scene after gunfire erupted just after 8pm local time
Armed Toronto police officers secure the intersection near St. Clair Avenue West as investigators respond to the deadly mass shooting
Thousands were expected to enjoy the festival which had returned for its 22nd iteration this year
The area was suddenly flooded with police officers, paramedics and emergency responders as investigators worked to determine exactly what happened.
Another festival attendee, Jacy Lin, said everything happened extremely quickly.
‘Everybody was just leaving,’ she said to CP24. ‘Everything happened so fast.’
The normally festive street was quickly sealed off as authorities searched for evidence and attempted to track down whoever was responsible for the deadly attack.
Police later said the scene had been secured. No information on a suspect or arrests was immediately released.
Ontario’s Premier Doug Ford released a statement following the shooting.
‘I am devastated by the senseless violence at the Salsa on St. Clair Festival that has claimed two lives and injured others. My thoughts are with the victims, their families and everyone affected,’ Ford wrote on X.
‘Thank you to Toronto Police and our first responders for responding to this horrific incident. The person responsible must be caught, brought to justice and spend the rest of their life behind bars.’
Police hold back crowds as they respond to an active shooter at the Salsa on St. Clair event in Toronto, Saturday, July 11, 2026. (Keito Newman/The Canadian Press via AP)
Police officers stand guard at the site of a deadly shooting at a salsa street festival in Toronto
Toronto police officers patrol the festival area as the force’s command vehicle is deployed to the scene of the deadly shooting
Police vehicles block an intersection near the festival as emergency responders lock down the area during the active shooting investigation
A police vehicle makes its way as people gather near the scene after the deadly shooting
People gather as emergency workers respond to the scene
Police officers stand guard at the scene following Saturday evening’s deadly shooting
Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney also shared statement following the bloodbath.
‘I am horrified by the shooting that has killed two people at the Salsa on St. Clair Festival in Toronto,’ he 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.
‘My thanks to the police officers and other first responders whose courage and fast action prevented further tragedy.
‘Police have my full support as they work to apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
Salsa on St. Clair is a celebration of Latin culture which returned for its 22nd iteration this year.
The two-day festival transforms St Clair Ave West in Midtown Toronto’s Hillcrest Village and features, music, dance and food.
The busy area is lined with stores and restaurants and the festival draws thousands each year.
