Two killed and four injured in mass shooting at Toronto Latin street festival

At least two people were killed and four others injured after a man opened fire on a Latin street festival in Toronto, Canada, yesterday.

Gunshots rang out as around 13,000 had gathered for Salsa on St Clair near St Clair Avenue West at 8.12pm local time.

At least six people were treated for gunshot wounds. Of them, two men died at the scene and four were taken to hospital.

Among the injured was a woman, a witness told CP24.

No arrests have been made and no suspect descriptions have been released. Two firearms were recovered at the scene.

Festival-goers told Toronto Today that they saw a ‘huge wave’ of people running and screaming as police swarmed the salsa-themed street party.

Vendor Patsy Gutierrez said: ‘Everybody started getting frantic and then we stopped serving.

‘I don’t think it should be something that’s happening in these type of events.’

William Ajselett was lining up to buy food when he saw ‘a crowd-crushing situation’ that he feared his wife and friends were caught in.

Councillor Josh Matlow said the atmosphere of the festival, one of Toronto’s most popular summer attractions, was ‘very peaceful’ earlier.

‘The vibe was great,’ he said.

Police still ‘piecing together’ what led to shooting

The police said on X at around 9.30pm that ‘suspect(s) [are] still outstanding’.

Despite initial fears of an active shooter, Toronto Police Deputy Chief Frank Barredo said this ‘turned out not to be the case’.

‘It’s very difficult to say with certainty what precipitated this,’ Barredo said at an 11pm press conference.

‘I can tell you that there was an exchange of gunfire between individuals and that two firearms were recovered.’

It was not known if any of the suspects were among the victims.

The deputy chief added: ‘We will piece together some of those bits of information and when we’re able to share it with the public, we certainly will.’

Salsa on St Clair, which has filled the city with live music, food stands and salsa dancing for the past 22 years, was shut down.

The marquee event promises an ‘unforgettable day’, its website says.

With mass shootings rare in Toronto, politicians expressed shock and outrage at the incident.

Prime Minister Mark Carney said: ‘I am horrified by the shooting that has killed two people at the Salsa on St. Clair Festival in Toronto.  

‘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.’

Mayor Olivia Chow said the shooting left her ‘beyond words’.

‘I’m deeply disturbed and angry about this reckless, irresponsible act of violence – and right in the middle of a festival attended by families, children, seniors,’ she told reporters.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford paid tribute on X.

He said: ‘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.’

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.