Toronto shooting: 2 killed, suspects still at large

The shooting happened during a salsa event, Canada's largest Latin street festival. Toronto police say two gunmen were responsible but that the suspects have not been detained yet.

Two people were killed and at least six others were injured in a shooting in the Canadian city of Toronto on Saturday night, police said.

Toronto Police said the suspects remained at large, but that the scene has been secured. They also urged the public to avoid the area.

What do we know about the Toronto shooting?

The incident happened in the early evening near St. Clair Avenue West and Arlington Avenue during the Salsa on St. Clair festival — Canada's largest Latin street festival. 

Police said the suspect or suspects were still at large, without providing any more information.

The deputy chief at Toronto Police, Frank Barredo, told reporters there had been some initial "concern about an active shooter. That turned out not to be the case."

But Barredo said two firearms had been found and that the shooting involved an exchange of fire between two gunmen who had "indiscriminately put vast numbers of people in danger."

Barredo also said both of the fatalities were male.

Mass shootings are rare in Toronto

"I am devastated by the senseless violence at the Salsa on St. Clair Festival that has claimed two lives and injured others," Ontario Premier Doug Ford wrote in a social media post. "My thoughts are with the victims, their families and everyone affected."

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said on X that he was "horrified by the shooting that has killed two people at the Salsa on St. Clair Festival in Toronto."

"My prayers are with the families grieving their loved ones," he said.

Toronto is one of the safest cities in North America. Fatal shootings, particularly those involving multiple victims in public, are relatively rare in Canada, particularly compared to the US and Mexico.

Edited by: Karl Sexton

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