Fatal shooting shuts down major Toronto music festival: “Senseless violence”
Two people have been killed and at least four injured during a shooting at the Latino festival, Salsa on St Clair, in Toronto on July 11th.
The marquee event, which has been running for 22 years, was disturbed by the horrific incident at around 8:12pm local time, when emergency services were called to the part of Toronto that had been shut off for the festivities.
As per the New York Times, six people were shot in total; one man died at the scene, and another died later in hospital, while several more are suffering from “serious” injuries.
“This was a very chaotic scene,” Deputy Chief Frank Barredo of the Toronto Police shared. The police had initially announced an active shooter, but later withdrew the announcement after discovering the tragedy befell due to a shooting between groups.
“There seemed to be an exchange of gunfire between individuals targeting each other,” he also revealed. It is understood that the shooters are still at large.
Two guns were recovered, likely from the gunmen shooting at one another. Investigators have since announced that they are focused on three different crime scenes, also warning that the investigation would be “complex”.
“I’m deeply disturbed and angry about this reckless, irresponsible act of violence right in the middle of a festival,” added Toronto’s mayor, Olivia Chow.
Salsa on St Clair subsequently cancelled the rest of the festivities on July 12th, which included a full day of Latino live music, DJs, and dancing, spread across two stages.
The festival admitted to being “shocked” at the shootings, before adding, “Our thoughts are with the families of the two persons killed, those who were injured, and everyone affected by this senseless violence.”
The social media statement concluded, “Due to the complex police investigations at the scene, we understand the festival will not resume today, Sunday, July 12.”
The annual two-day festival seeks to celebrate Latino culture with music, dance, food, and art.
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