Two men killed, six injured in shooting at Toronto's Latin street festival

Two men were killed and six other people were injured in a shooting at Toronto's Salsa on St. Clair festival on Saturday night, police said.  

The shooting happened shortly after 8 p.m. local time near St. Clair Avenue West and Arlington Avenue, where thousands of people had gathered for the annual event.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Toronto police said the incident involved an exchange of gunfire between individuals who appeared to be targeting each other. One man died at the scene and another later died in hospital. Their identities have not been released.

Four people were initially taken to hospital with serious injuries. Police later confirmed two additional victims had been identified, bringing the total number of injured to six.

Toronto Deputy Police Chief Frank Barredo condemned the shooting calling the violence "brazen" and "despicable" and saying the "amount of danger to members of the public" was "just so unacceptable." 

Officers recovered two firearms and are investigating three crime scenes. No arrests have been made. Police briefly warned of a possible active shooter, but later said the incident was not an active shooter situation.

Police officers secure the scene after a deadly shooting at a salsa-themed street festival in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 11 July, 2026 Reuters/Cole Burston
Reuters/Cole Burston
Leaders condemn attack

Videos shared on social media showed festivalgoers running from the scene as emergency crews treated the injured.

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow condemned the shooting as a "reckless, irresponsible act of violence," while Prime Minister Mark Carney said he was "horrified" by the attack and thanked first responders.

Salsa on St. Clair is an annual two-day event and one of Canada's largest Latin cultural festivals.

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