A gunman opened fire during the 22nd annual "Salsa on St. Clair" Latin dance and music festival in Toronto, Canada, killing 2 people instantly at the scene and injuring 4 others. Police confirmed they have secured the area, but the suspect remains at large.
A gunman committed a shooting in Toronto, Canada, at the intersection of St. Clair Avenue West and Arlington Avenue, the site of the 22nd annual Latin cultural festival "Salsa on St. Clair," resulting in multiple deaths and injuries.
Reports indicate that Toronto police were alerted around 20:12 local time about a gunman at the salsa dance festival area, which was crowded with shops, restaurants, and people enjoying live music and dance performances.
Upon arrival, authorities found six victims who had been shot. Two were dead at the scene, and four were injured and rushed to hospital. Police have not yet released details on the severity of the injuries.
Initially, police issued an urgent warning advising the public to avoid and stay away from the area. Later, they announced they had "secured the scene" but emphasized that the suspect or suspects remain at large. A large police presence remains on site to investigate and pursue the perpetrator.
AFP reporters at the scene noted a heavy police presence spread across St. Clair Avenue, a major street in downtown Toronto typically known for its smooth traffic flow and safety.
After the incident, Ontario Premier Doug Ford posted on X condemning the violence, saying, “I am deeply saddened by the inhumane violence at the Salsa on St. Clair festival that claimed 2 lives and injured others. My thoughts and prayers go out to the victims, their families, and everyone affected.”
Ford also thanked emergency responders who assisted immediately at the scene and declared, “Those responsible for this incident will be apprehended and brought to justice.”
Toronto is Canada’s largest city and is considered one of the safest major cities in North America. Such deadly shootings in public spaces are quite rare.
However, this tragic event follows recent gun violence incidents elsewhere in Canada. Late last month, a shooting in Montreal killed two people, including a police officer, before the suspect was fatally shot by police. Earlier in February, a school shooting in the small mining city of Tumbler Ridge in western Canada resulted in 8 deaths, including relatives of the shooter, and 27 injuries before the female gunman took her own life.
. BBC/ AFP