What to know
- Salsa on St. Clair has been cancelled for Sunday after a shooting Saturday night left two people dead and six others injured.
- Toronto Police say the investigation is ongoing and no arrests have been announced as of Sunday morning.
- TTC routes around St. Clair Avenue West remain diverted while officers continue to investigate the scene.
- Mayor Olivia Chow, Prime Minister Mark Carney and other elected officials have offered condolences and condemned the violence.
The Salsa on St. Clair festival will not continue on Sunday after a shooting left six festivalgoers injured and two dead.
As of Sunday morning, Toronto Police are still investigating the incident and no arrests have been made.
Due to the shooting and the ongoing investigation, Salsa on St. Clair is not resuming on Sunday. Originally, the festival was scheduled to run on both Saturday, July 11 and Sunday, July 12.
At 8:12 p.m. Saturday evening, Toronto Police posted on X reports of an active shooter and advised the public to “stay away from the area.”
At 9:29 p.m., the police updated their information, confirming that six people had gunshot wounds and two people were confirmed dead.
TTC Service Alerts
Westbound 512 streetcars and buses are detouring from St. Clair Avenue via Bathurst Street, Oakwood Avenue, and Davenport Road as a result of the ongoing police investigation.
Streetcar replacement buses will continue to run between St Clair and Oakwood and St Clair West Station.
Responses from politicians
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow said she is “disgusted and angered by the shooting at Salsa on St. Clair tonight” in a statement she posted to X.
“My thoughts are with the families, friends and communities of those who were injured or tragically passed away,” she said.
“This was a reckless, despicable act of violence at a crowded festival. I will ensure Toronto Police have every resource they need to find those responsible, and they will keep working around the clock to get guns off our streets.”
Toronto City Councillor Josh Matlow, who serves Ward 12, Toronto—St. Paul’s was present at the festival on Saturday. In a statement, he said, “The scene was surreal. A helicopter flying overhead, and dozens of officers shutting down the area. What happened tonight was really painful, terrifying and saddening.”
“My thoughts are with the victims of the shootings this evening. We’re thinking of them and their families. Our police, firefighters and paramedics have my heartfelt gratitude. They were truly remarkable.”
Prime Minister Mark Carney also offered his condolences, stating he was “horrified by the shooting” in a social media post late Saturday night.
“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.”
Event organisers announce festival cancellation
Organizers with Salsa in Toronto announced that Sunday’s festival has been cancelled “due to the complex police investigations at the scene.”
The group also expressed condolences to those impacted by the shooting, writing, “Our thoughts are with the families of the two persons killed, those who were injured, and everyone affected by this senseless violence.”
