Two people were killed and at least four others sustained serious injuries after gunfire erupted during a salsa festival that attracted thousands of people in Toronto, Canada.
Investigators said the incident occurred on Saturday during the Salsa on St. Clair Festival, where more than 13,000 people had gathered for the Latin music event.
According to police, the shooting resulted from an exchange of gunfire between two individuals.
Toronto Deputy Police Chief Frank Barredo said officers recovered two firearms at the scene.
He disclosed that two men were pronounced dead, while four other victims were taken to nearby hospitals with serious injuries.
“Two males have been pronounced dead, and another four individuals have been transported to local hospitals with serious injuries,” Mr Barredo said.
Police had initially described the incident as involving an active shooter, but Mr Barredo later clarified that investigations no longer supported that assessment.
He added that investigators had not ruled out the possibility that more than two people were involved in the shooting.
“There have been no arrests at this time,” he said.
Carney reacts
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney described the shooting as horrifying in a post on X.
“I am horrified by the shooting that has killed two people at the Salsa on St. Clair Festival in Toronto,” Mr Carney wrote.
“My prayers are with the families grieving their loved ones.”
The Prime Minister also commended police officers and emergency responders for their swift response, saying their actions prevented further tragedy.
Mayor condemns attack
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow condemned the violence, describing it as reckless and irresponsible.
“I am deeply disturbed and angry about this reckless and irresponsible act of violence right in the middle of a festival attended by families, children and seniors,” Ms Chow said.
A festival attendee, Jason Ferda, told AFP he initially mistook the gunshots for fireworks.
“I was scared, I left,” he said.
Another eyewitness told local broadcaster CTV News that panic quickly spread through the crowd.
“Suddenly, everybody was running towards the stage, and everyone was like, ‘What’s going on?’ The police came and they stopped the music,” the witness said.
“Everything happened so fast.”
Recent shootings in Canada
The Toronto shooting comes weeks after another deadly attack in Montreal, where two people, including a police officer, were killed before the suspected gunman was shot dead by law enforcement officers.
Earlier this year, a school shooting in Tumbler Ridge, a mining town in western Canada, claimed eight lives, including those of the shooter’s mother and half-brother, while 27 others were injured before the suspect died by suicide.
Discover more from VOICE OF THE PEOPLE
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
