Police said two people exchanged gunfire near the crowded Salsa on St. Clair festival, placing thousands of visitors in danger.
TORONTO — Two men were killed and four other people were seriously wounded Saturday night when gunfire erupted near a popular Toronto street festival attended by thousands of families and visitors, police said.
The shooting was reported at about 8:12 p.m. near St. Clair Avenue West and Arlington Avenue, where the annual Salsa on St. Clair festival was underway. Police initially issued an active-shooter warning and urged people to avoid the area, but later said the violence involved an exchange of gunfire between people who appeared to be targeting one another.
Toronto Police Deputy Chief Frank Barredo said investigators recovered two firearms from the scene. No arrests had been announced by the time police held a late-night news conference, and officials had not determined the exact number of suspects involved.
One man was pronounced dead at the scene, while a second died after being taken to a hospital, police said. Four other people were hospitalized with serious gunshot wounds. Authorities had not released the victims’ names or provided detailed updates on the survivors’ conditions as of Sunday.
Barredo said the gunfire placed a large number of festival visitors at risk. He said police determined that the incident was not a single attacker randomly moving through the crowd, despite the initial active-shooter alert. Investigators instead believe at least two people exchanged shots while targeting each other.
The festival drew an estimated 13,000 people to Toronto’s St. Clair West neighborhood for music, dancing, food and cultural performances. The shooting sent people running from restaurants, vendor stands and entertainment areas as police and paramedics moved into the crowded district.
Valerie Rodriguez told The Associated Press that she was sitting outside a nearby restaurant when people began screaming and running. She said others told those nearby to get down on the floor because they did not know where the shots were coming from.
Vendor Patsy Gutierrez said she was serving customers when she saw a large wave of people fleeing the festival. She stopped serving as visitors became frightened and tried to leave or find shelter.
Police secured the area after the initial emergency response but maintained a large presence around the festival. Investigators identified three connected crime scenes that required further examination, Barredo said.
The investigation is expected to include reviews of surveillance and cellphone video, physical evidence and statements from the many people who were in the area. Barredo described the scene as complex because of the size of the crowd and the volume of information officers must examine.
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow said she was deeply disturbed and angry that the shooting occurred during an event attended by families. Ontario Premier Doug Ford called the violence devastating and expressed sympathy for the victims and others affected.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he was horrified by the shooting and offered support to police as they searched for those responsible. He also thanked officers and other emergency workers for their response.
Police had not publicly identified a motive, named any suspects or announced arrests by Sunday. Authorities asked witnesses and anyone with video of the shooting or its aftermath to provide information as homicide and other investigators continued examining the evidence.
Author note: Last updated July 12, 2026.