Deadly shooting at Salsa on St. Clair ‘heartbreaking and unacceptable’: Toronto police chief

Дата публикации: 12-07-2026 16:25:09

Two men killed, 4 people hospitalized after gunshots startled attendees at midtown event

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A day after a mass shooting during the Salsa on St. Clair festival killed two people and injured several others, Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw vowed to find those responsible for the deadly incident.

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The shooting Saturday night sent many at the annual street festival scrambling and led event organizers to cancel the final day of the celebration of Latin culture on Sunday.

“The brazen violence we witnessed in the middle of a community festival where thousands were gathered to enjoy a summer evening with family and friends is heartbreaking and unacceptable,” Demkiw said in a statement Sunday.

“All necessary resources are being made available to our investigative teams and we will be relentless in our pursuit of those responsible,” Demkiw said, adding, “We will continue to keep the public informed as the investigation progresses.”

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‘Exchange of gunfire’

Speaking to the media Saturday night, Toronto Police Deputy Chief Frank Barredo said two men were killed and four people were hospitalized after an “exchange of gunfire between individuals.”

Barredo said two firearms were recovered and said police are investigating three separate crime scenes.

Police initially said it received reports of gunfire at around 8:12 p.m. near St. Clair Ave. W. and Arlington Ave.

The area was closed to vehicle traffic due to the festival, which was happening on St. Clair Ave. W. between Christie St. and Winona Dr. over the weekend.

Barredo described the police investigation into the shooting as “complex.”

“This was a very chaotic scene,” he said, adding that approximately 13,000 people were at the festival at the time of the shooting.

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Toronto police officers clear the area following a shooting at the Salsa on St. Clair festival in Toronto on July 11, 2026. Photo by Laura Proctor

Though police haven’t released information about the victims, a police source told the Toronto Sun that a 40-year-old man, 19-year-old woman and another female were among those who were injured.

Salsa in Toronto, the organizer of Salsa on St. Clair, issued a statement on its website, announcing that the event was cancelled on Sunday.

The organizers also said they were “shocked and deeply saddened by the shootings,” and expressed their condolences to the victims’ families and “everyone affected by this senseless violence.”

City officials respond to shooting

Toronto Councillor Josh Matlow, whose ward covers the area of the shooting, described the scene as “surreal” in a post on X Saturday night.

“A helicopter flying overhead, and dozens of officers shutting down the area. What happened tonight was really painful, terrifying and saddening,” he said, expressing his condolences to the victims and their families.

“Our police, firefighters and paramedics have my heartfelt gratitude. They were truly remarkable,” he added.

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Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow also responded to the deadly incident, stating she was “disgusted and angered” by the shooting.

“This was a reckless, despicable act of violence at a crowded festival,” she wrote on X Saturday night.

“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,” she said.

“I want to thank the police, paramedics and firefighters for their fast response to this emergency. They head towards danger when we need them most and I am grateful for their service to the people of our city,” she added.

Deputy Mayor and Councillor Mike Colle blamed “weak laws” for the shooting.

“These Disgusting Gun Gangsters have no fear of our weak laws and total lack of consequences,” Colle wrote on Facebook Saturday night.

“Ottawa and Queen’s Park wake up and put an end to Easy Bail and Dropping Charges. No Bail for Gun Gangsters!”

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