Two dead and more injured after gunman opens fire at Canadian salsa festival

By JAMES GORDON, US NEWS REPORTER Published: 02:17, 12 July 2026 | Updated: 02:28, 12 July 2026 A summer street festival in Toronto descended into chaos Saturday night after a gunman opened fire into the crowd, leaving two people dead and three others wounded. Panicked revelers fled for safety as police launched an urgent hunt for the shooter. The deadly gunfire erupted during the popular Salsa on St. Clair festival, transforming what had been an evening of live music, dancing and celebration into an active crime scene. Toronto Police confirmed officers were called to reports of a shooting at 8:12pm near the intersection of St. Clair Avenue West and Arlington Avenue, where thousands had gathered for the annual cultural event. When officers arrived, they discovered five people suffering from gunshot wounds. Two victims were pronounced dead at the scene while three others were rushed for medical treatment, although authorities have not yet released details about the extent of their injuries. Police have not identified the victims, and investigators had not released any information about a possible suspect as the search continued late into the evening. Authorities described the situation as an active shooter investigation and urged members of the public to stay far away from the area while officers secured the scene. Toronto police are investigating the shooting as an active shooter incident and continue to search for the suspect (file photo) 'Please avoid the area immediately,' Toronto Police said in a social media update. The shooting unfolded at the Salsa on St. Clair festival, one of Toronto's best-known summer celebrations, which had closed a stretch of St. Clair Avenue West between Winona Drive and Christie Street for live entertainment, food vendors and cultural performances. Instead of music and dancing, the area was suddenly flooded with police officers, paramedics and emergency responders as investigators worked to determine exactly what happened. The normally festive street was quickly sealed off as authorities searched for evidence and attempted to track down whoever was responsible for the deadly attack.