Toronto’s Salsa on St. Clair festival cancelled as police chief calls fatal shooting ‘unacceptable’

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The final day of Toronto’s Salsa on St. Clair festival has officially been cancelled following a deadly shooting that killed two men and seriously injured several others late Saturday night.

In a post to social media, Toronto Coun. Josh Matlow first announced Sunday morning that the festival would not resume as police continued their investigation.

“The police are continuing their investigation at the scene. The Salsa on St. Clair festival has been cancelled and will not be proceeding today,” Matlow said in a statement.

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Festival organizers also confirmed the news on social media, saying that they were “shocked” by the violence and expressed condolences to those affected.

“Our thoughts are with the families of the two persons killed, those who were injured, and everyone affected by this senseless violence,” organizers said in a statement.

“Due to the complex police investigations at the scene, we understand the festival will not resume today, Sunday, July 12.”

The annual festival, which stretches along St. Clair Avenue West, was expected to conclude Sunday after drawing tens of thousands of visitors over the weekend.

Shooting ‘unacceptable,’ says police chief

Toronto police Chief Myron Demkiw posted a statement on Sunday about the shooting as well as the other incident in the area of Polson Street and Cherry Street.

“The brazen violence we witnessed in the middle of a community festival where thousands were gathered to enjoy a summer evening with family and friends is heartbreaking and unacceptable,” Demkiw said in the statement.

“My thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives and with everyone affected by these senseless acts of violence.”

The chief said all “necessary resources” will be used to investigate the shooting.

“We will be relentless in our pursuit of those responsible,” Demkiw said.

Ongoing investigation

Toronto police say the shooting erupted shortly after 8 p.m as an estimated 13,000 people were attending the festival.

Speaking to reporters, Deputy Chief Frank Barredo said the violence stemmed from an “exchange of gunfire” between individuals who were targeting each other, prompting terrified festivalgoers, including families, children and seniors, to run for safety.

It was then confirmed by police that one man died at the scene while another later died in hospital. Meanwhile, five other people were taken to hospital with serious injuries.

Police initially warned of an active shooter but later clarified that investigators determined the incident did not meet that definition.

Barredo said investigators have recovered two firearms and are examining three separate crime scenes.

Still, no arrests have been made.

A ‘complex’ crime scene

Police have previously described the investigation as “complex,” noting that they have three crime scenes and plenty of video evidence to go through.

Mayor Olivia Chow, who also attended the late-night news conference on Saturday, condemned the violence.

“I’m deeply disturbed and angry about this reckless, irresponsible act of violence, and right in the middle of a festival attended by families, children, and seniors,” she said.

Police are asking anyone with information or cell phone footage to contact them.