Toronto festival shooting leaves 2 dead, 5 hurt as gunmen flee

Two people were killed and five others were injured in a shooting near Toronto's Salsa on St Clair Festival on Saturday. The attack sent crowds running, triggered an active shooter alert and left suspects still at large.

In Short

• Police first warned residents about an active shooter before securing area
• The gunfire erupted near St Clair Avenue West and Arlington Avenue
• Witnesses described crowds screaming, ducking for cover and lying on floors

Two people were killed and five others were injured in a shooting near a street festival in Toronto on Saturday, police said. The incident prompted officers to warn of an active shooter before they later said the scene had been secured.

Police said the shooting took place near the Salsa on St Clair Festival. While the area was later secured, the suspect or suspects had not been arrested.

Toronto Police spokesperson Shannon Eames said there were two dead and five others with gunshot wounds after the shooting near St Clair Avenue West and Arlington Avenue, where the festival was under way. Officers had earlier urged people to avoid the area as they responded.

Valerie Rodriguez said she was sitting next to a restaurant on Saturday night when she saw people screaming and running. "A bunch of people told us to lay down onto the floor," she said. "We got scared because we didn't know exactly what was happening."

Patsy Gutierrez, a vendor at the festival, said she was serving customers when she saw "a huge wave" of people running. "Everybody started getting frantic and then we stopped serving," she said. "I don't think it should be something that's happening in these type of events."

A large police presence remained in the area near the annual festival, a celebration of Latin American culture that draws thousands of people for live music, dancing, food and cultural performances. Ontario Premier Doug Ford said in a social media post, "I am devastated by the senseless violence at the Salsa on St. Clair Festival that has claimed two lives and injured others. My thoughts are with the victims, their families and everyone affected." Police said the scene was secure, but the suspect or suspects had not been apprehended.

With PTI Inputs

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