No arrests after shooting left 2 people dead, multiple injured at Toronto street festival

An update from the Toronto fete shot shot

2 people killed in Toronto festival shooting

Of the two people left dead yesterday, he said, one person was pronounced dead at the scene and the second later died in hospital. 

Despite videos circulating on social media of possible arrests related to the case, Loomans said no one has been arrested in connection with the investigation. 

We have some reaction from Prime Minister Mark Carney and other federal party leaders.

"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," Carney wrote on X.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said he was "shocked" to hear about what happened. "May the police find the monster responsible for this innocent loss of life and bring them to justice," he wrote on social media.

NDP Leader Avi Lewis also said he was "horrified" by the "act of senseless violence."

Josh Matlow, a Toronto city councillor who represents the Toronto-St. Paul's ward, where the shooting took place, said the incident "was really painful, terrifying and saddening."

"I've heard from parents in the neighbourhood, friends of mine, whose kids were home when they heard that there was a shooting just up the street, and who are understandably scared and upset," he wrote on X.

Adding that he expects "lots of questions" in the coming days and weeks about what happened, Matlow urged support for the ongoing police investigation.

"The next step will be for us to support them as they pursue their investigation so that any further actions are genuinely helpful, and based on the facts."

Two people have died and six others were injured after gunfire erupted Saturday evening at Toronto's Salsa on St. Clair festival, one of the city's largest annual celebrations of Latin culture.

The shooting happened shortly after 8 p.m. Near St. Clair Avenue West and Arlington Avenue, where police estimate about 13,000 people were attending the festival.

Toronto police say investigators believe at least two people exchanged gunfire while moving through the crowd. Deputy Chief Frank Barredo said two firearms have been recovered and officers are investigating three separate crime scenes. No arrests have been made.

"This was a very active and chaotic scene," Barredo said late Saturday night.

Witnesses described a chaotic scene as festivalgoers, including children, ran for cover, with some taking shelter inside nearby businesses. Paramedics treated victims at the scene before transporting several people to hospital.

Police say there is no ongoing threat to the public, though they are asking people to continue avoiding the area while investigators gather what they expect will be extensive video evidence.

The festival is all about Latin culture, with musicians and dancers performing throughout the day. It's one of the biggest events on the Toronto summer event calendar, running in the city for 22 years. 

Tonight, the community has been gripped by fear.

Reddekopp described people running away from the sound of the shooting, seeking shelter in restaurants and convenience stores. 

Photos from moments before shooting show a packed crowd, with Torontonians standing shoulder-to-shoulder in many places.

It's not the first packed festival this year.

In early June, Toronto police had to be called in to disperse huge crowds during Saturday night festivities at Do West Fest — a similar event on Dundas Street West. 

At the time, police said the crowds were so big emergency responders couldn't get through the crowds.

Mike Colle, one of Toronto's deputy mayors, described the shooting as "gangster violence" while speaking to reporters. 

"These thugs must be caught," he said.

Barredo said an estimated 13,000 people were at the festival at the time and they expect investigators to be going through a lot of video evidence in the coming days. 

There are three crime scenes being held by police at this time. 

Barredo said investigators believe the shooters may have been moving through the crowd.

Barredo told reporters that two firearms were recovered after the shooting, and that investigators have determined that there are three crime scenes.

"Investigators are piecing it all together. This is a very chaotic scene," he said.

St. Clair is a midrise block of Toronto lined with both businesses and residences. 

Police sought to ease the nerves of anyone living in the area.

The shooting appears to have been an exchange of gunfire between at least two people, police told reporters.

While they put out an active shooter notice earlier as a precaution, police say they no longer believe there's a threat to the area. 

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