2 Dead, Many Injured In Shooting Near Salsa Festival In Canada's Toronto; Suspect At Large

Last Updated:July 12, 2026, 07:21 IST

Two people were killed and three injured in a shooting near Toronto's Salsa on St. Clair festival. Police have secured the scene but the suspect remains at large.

A shooting near Toronto’s annual Salsa on St. Clair street festival left two people dead and three others injured on Saturday evening, triggering a major police response and an active search for the suspect or suspects.

According to The Associated Press (AP), the shooting took place near St. Clair Avenue West and Arlington Avenue, where the popular Latino-themed cultural festival was underway.

Toronto police initially warned of an active shooter and urged the public to avoid the area before later confirming that the scene had been secured.

However, authorities said no arrests had been made, and the suspect remained at large.

Toronto police said officers responded to reports of gunfire at around 8.12 pm local time.

Five people suffering from gunshot wounds were found at the scene. Two victims were pronounced dead, while three others were injured.

In an initial post on X, Toronto police urged residents to stay away from the area, saying, “Please avoid the area immediately and follow all directions from police."

Police later issued an update stating, “Police have secured the scene."

Authorities have not released information about the identity of the victims, the condition of the injured, a possible motive, or the suspect.

A large police presence remained in the neighbourhood as investigators continued their search.

The incident unfolded near the Salsa on St. Clair festival, one of Toronto’s best-known annual cultural celebrations.

According to AP, the event is a Latino-themed cultural celebration, while the BBC reported that this year’s edition marked the festival’s 22nd year, featuring live Latin music and dance performances.

The festival is held along a busy midtown Toronto corridor lined with shops and restaurants.

Investigators continued to comb the area late into the night, with officers maintaining a heavy security presence while searching for the suspect or suspects.

The shooting comes just weeks after another deadly incident in Montreal, where two people, including a police officer, were killed before the alleged gunman was shot dead by law enforcement.

Canada witnessed another major shooting earlier this year in Tumbler Ridge, where a school shooting left eight people dead, including the alleged shooter’s mother and half-brother, while 27 others were injured before the suspected shooter died by suicide.

About the Author

Vani Mehrotra

Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has more than 10 years of experience in national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.

News world 2 Dead, Many Injured In Shooting Near Salsa Festival In Canada's Toronto; Suspect At Large

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