Two men have lost their lives and four others are hurt following an “exchange of gunfire” involving two suspects during a packed street festival in Toronto.
Initially, Toronto police warned that there might be an active shooter at the Salsa on St. Clair festival as emergency responders arrived at a chaotic scene filled with around 13,000 attendees.
“There were people that were injured, there were people that were down,” Deputy Chief Frank Barredo told reporters. “It was a very active and chaotic scene.”
The first report came in around 8:12 p. m. near St. Clair and Arlington.
Details from police evolved over the hours, including an earlier indication that six individuals had been injured.
Eventually, they confirmed that two men had died, while four others were taken to the hospital with serious injuries.
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Instead of an active shooter randomly firing at festival-goers, police believe it was two individuals with guns “targeting each other” amidst the crowd.
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Barredo mentioned it was “difficult to say with certainty” what occurred but believed officers were searching for two suspects.
No arrests have been made yet.
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow expressed her sorrow over the violence.
“I’m deeply disturbed and angry about this reckless, irresponsible act of violence,” she said.
“Right in the middle of a festival attended by families, children, seniors. Just beyond words how disturbed I am.”
Amellia St John, who was enjoying the festival with her friend, told she witnessed someone getting shot.
“We heard about seven shots, then we see everyone running, so I started running too,” she said.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said he was “devastated” by the violent disruption to the weekend festivities.
“My thoughts are with the victims, their families and everyone affected,” he wrote in a post on social media.
“Thank you to Toronto Police and our first responders for responding to this horrific incident. The person responsible must be caught, brought to justice and spend the rest of their life behind bars.”
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The shooting took place on the first night of Salsa on St. Clair, which was scheduled for both Saturday and Sunday events.
This festival has been ongoing for its 22nd year; it’s a celebration of Latin culture featuring performances as well as various street food stalls common at summer events across the city.
“I really don’t feel safe at these events anymore,” St John added.
“I feel like this is the last time I will be going to an event like this… I thought I was going to come out here and have fun and after I saw a person die, I really don’t feel safe to come out here anymore.”
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