Two Killed, Six Injured After Gunfire Exchange at Salsa on St. Clair Festival in Toronto
786 St Clair Ave W
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Summary
- Two people were killed and several others were hurt after gunfire erupted at the Salsa on St. Clair street festival in Toronto with around 13,000 in attendance on Saturday night, police say.
- Authorities believe that at least two gunmen exchanged shots at the festival, indicating the shooting was likely targeted. They initially characterized the incident as an active shooter situation.
- In addition to the two who were killed, at least four others were wounded by gunfire. They were hospitalized with serious injuries. Two guns were recovered, and police say the suspect(s) are at large.
- "We will be relentless in our pursuit of those responsible," Toronto police chief Myron Demkiw said in a statement on X.
- The final day of the festival was cancelled in the wake of the shooting as police continue their investigation.
- According to the event website, Salsa on St. Clair was in its 22nd annual celebration, "transforming St. Clair Ave West in Midtown Toronto’s Hillcrest Village into a vibrant explosion of Latin culture."
- "Over two unforgettable days, the streets come alive with world-class performances, irresistible cuisine, high-energy music, and nonstop dancing," the website reads.
Timeline
Organizers of Taste of the Danforth, a popular food festival set to return next month, said they are proceeding as planned but will adjust their safety plan in light of the shooting.
The City of Toronto said it is committed to reviewing its approach to festival safety and will support the creation of a Toronto Festivals Association to strengthen public safety at large events.
A key festival sponsor, TLN Media Group President Aldo Di Felice, threatened to pull support from Salsa on St. Clair unless city officials provide "concrete commitments to enhance policing and security." "We refuse to subject any of our people, friends, clients and community supporters to situations where public officials resist the community's calls to do better," Di Felice said.
No arrests have been made as of Tuesday morning. The investigation is described as "complex" by police due to the number of people involved, the volume of video evidence, and the multiple crime scenes.
Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw said the victims knew each other and are believed to have been targeted.
The two victims have been identified as Shaquan Quashie, 25, and Cesar Vernaza, 20, per Toronto Police Service.
According to an update from NBC News, two men were pronounced dead at the scene, while five others suffered gunshot wounds and another was hospitalized with unspecified injuries.
Police said 6 people were shot in total—two were pronounced dead, both men, and four others were injured.
It's unclear how many shots were fired in total.
Police say there are three crime scenes in the area. It's not yet known if other suspects were involved other than the pair who exchanged gunfire.
Authorities said there were around 15,000 people participating in the street festival.
Police said that there was an exchange of gunfire between two people. Two guns were recovered at the scene.
No arrests have been made at this time, and no suspect information is currently available. The investigation is ongoing.
Local media sources report that, according to Toronto Police, a shooting occurred shortly after 8 p.m., leaving two deceased and several others injured.
Citizen user video shows several officers and EMS on the scene. Caution tape is cordoning off a large portion of the train tracks. Do you have information?
The address reported for this incident has changed to 786 St Clair Ave W.
This alert was created by a community member. Citizen is working to gather more information. If you’re nearby, broadcast live or comment to share updates.
Incident reported at 786B St Clair Ave W.
Organizers of Taste of the Danforth, a popular food festival set to return next month, said they are proceeding as planned but will adjust their safety plan in light of the shooting.
The City of Toronto said it is committed to reviewing its approach to festival safety and will support the creation of a Toronto Festivals Association to strengthen public safety at large events.
A key festival sponsor, TLN Media Group President Aldo Di Felice, threatened to pull support from Salsa on St. Clair unless city officials provide "concrete commitments to enhance policing and security." "We refuse to subject any of our people, friends, clients and community supporters to situations where public officials resist the community's calls to do better," Di Felice said.
No arrests have been made as of Tuesday morning. The investigation is described as "complex" by police due to the number of people involved, the volume of video evidence, and the multiple crime scenes.
Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw said the victims knew each other and are believed to have been targeted.
The two victims have been identified as Shaquan Quashie, 25, and Cesar Vernaza, 20, per Toronto Police Service.
According to an update from NBC News, two men were pronounced dead at the scene, while five others suffered gunshot wounds and another was hospitalized with unspecified injuries.
Police said 6 people were shot in total—two were pronounced dead, both men, and four others were injured.
It's unclear how many shots were fired in total.
Police say there are three crime scenes in the area. It's not yet known if other suspects were involved other than the pair who exchanged gunfire.
Authorities said there were around 15,000 people participating in the street festival.
Police said that there was an exchange of gunfire between two people. Two guns were recovered at the scene.
No arrests have been made at this time, and no suspect information is currently available. The investigation is ongoing.
Local media sources report that, according to Toronto Police, a shooting occurred shortly after 8 p.m., leaving two deceased and several others injured.
Citizen user video shows several officers and EMS on the scene. Caution tape is cordoning off a large portion of the train tracks. Do you have information?
The address reported for this incident has changed to 786 St Clair Ave W.
This alert was created by a community member. Citizen is working to gather more information. If you’re nearby, broadcast live or comment to share updates.
Incident reported at 786B St Clair Ave W.
Organizers of Taste of the Danforth, a popular food festival set to return next month, said they are proceeding as planned but will adjust their safety plan in light of the shooting.
The City of Toronto said it is committed to reviewing its approach to festival safety and will support the creation of a Toronto Festivals Association to strengthen public safety at large events.
A key festival sponsor, TLN Media Group President Aldo Di Felice, threatened to pull support from Salsa on St. Clair unless city officials provide "concrete commitments to enhance policing and security." "We refuse to subject any of our people, friends, clients and community supporters to situations where public officials resist the community's calls to do better," Di Felice said.
No arrests have been made as of Tuesday morning. The investigation is described as "complex" by police due to the number of people involved, the volume of video evidence, and the multiple crime scenes.
Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw said the victims knew each other and are believed to have been targeted.
The two victims have been identified as Shaquan Quashie, 25, and Cesar Vernaza, 20, per Toronto Police Service.
According to an update from NBC News, two men were pronounced dead at the scene, while five others suffered gunshot wounds and another was hospitalized with unspecified injuries.
Police said 6 people were shot in total—two were pronounced dead, both men, and four others were injured.
It's unclear how many shots were fired in total.
Police say there are three crime scenes in the area. It's not yet known if other suspects were involved other than the pair who exchanged gunfire.
Authorities said there were around 15,000 people participating in the street festival.
Police said that there was an exchange of gunfire between two people. Two guns were recovered at the scene.
No arrests have been made at this time, and no suspect information is currently available. The investigation is ongoing.
Local media sources report that, according to Toronto Police, a shooting occurred shortly after 8 p.m., leaving two deceased and several others injured.
Citizen user video shows several officers and EMS on the scene. Caution tape is cordoning off a large portion of the train tracks. Do you have information?
The address reported for this incident has changed to 786 St Clair Ave W.
This alert was created by a community member. Citizen is working to gather more information. If you’re nearby, broadcast live or comment to share updates.
Incident reported at 786B St Clair Ave W.
Organizers of Taste of the Danforth, a popular food festival set to return next month, said they are proceeding as planned but will adjust their safety plan in light of the shooting.
The City of Toronto said it is committed to reviewing its approach to festival safety and will support the creation of a Toronto Festivals Association to strengthen public safety at large events.
A key festival sponsor, TLN Media Group President Aldo Di Felice, threatened to pull support from Salsa on St. Clair unless city officials provide "concrete commitments to enhance policing and security." "We refuse to subject any of our people, friends, clients and community supporters to situations where public officials resist the community's calls to do better," Di Felice said.
No arrests have been made as of Tuesday morning. The investigation is described as "complex" by police due to the number of people involved, the volume of video evidence, and the multiple crime scenes.
Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw said the victims knew each other and are believed to have been targeted.
The two victims have been identified as Shaquan Quashie, 25, and Cesar Vernaza, 20, per Toronto Police Service.
According to an update from NBC News, two men were pronounced dead at the scene, while five others suffered gunshot wounds and another was hospitalized with unspecified injuries.
Police said 6 people were shot in total—two were pronounced dead, both men, and four others were injured.
It's unclear how many shots were fired in total.
Police say there are three crime scenes in the area. It's not yet known if other suspects were involved other than the pair who exchanged gunfire.
Authorities said there were around 15,000 people participating in the street festival.
Police said that there was an exchange of gunfire between two people. Two guns were recovered at the scene.
No arrests have been made at this time, and no suspect information is currently available. The investigation is ongoing.
Local media sources report that, according to Toronto Police, a shooting occurred shortly after 8 p.m., leaving two deceased and several others injured.
Citizen user video shows several officers and EMS on the scene. Caution tape is cordoning off a large portion of the train tracks. Do you have information?
The address reported for this incident has changed to 786 St Clair Ave W.
This alert was created by a community member. Citizen is working to gather more information. If you’re nearby, broadcast live or comment to share updates.
Incident reported at 786B St Clair Ave W.
Organizers of Taste of the Danforth, a popular food festival set to return next month, said they are proceeding as planned but will adjust their safety plan in light of the shooting.
The City of Toronto said it is committed to reviewing its approach to festival safety and will support the creation of a Toronto Festivals Association to strengthen public safety at large events.
A key festival sponsor, TLN Media Group President Aldo Di Felice, threatened to pull support from Salsa on St. Clair unless city officials provide "concrete commitments to enhance policing and security." "We refuse to subject any of our people, friends, clients and community supporters to situations where public officials resist the community's calls to do better," Di Felice said.
No arrests have been made as of Tuesday morning. The investigation is described as "complex" by police due to the number of people involved, the volume of video evidence, and the multiple crime scenes.
Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw said the victims knew each other and are believed to have been targeted.
The two victims have been identified as Shaquan Quashie, 25, and Cesar Vernaza, 20, per Toronto Police Service.
According to an update from NBC News, two men were pronounced dead at the scene, while five others suffered gunshot wounds and another was hospitalized with unspecified injuries.
Police said 6 people were shot in total—two were pronounced dead, both men, and four others were injured.
It's unclear how many shots were fired in total.
Police say there are three crime scenes in the area. It's not yet known if other suspects were involved other than the pair who exchanged gunfire.
Authorities said there were around 15,000 people participating in the street festival.
Police said that there was an exchange of gunfire between two people. Two guns were recovered at the scene.
No arrests have been made at this time, and no suspect information is currently available. The investigation is ongoing.
Local media sources report that, according to Toronto Police, a shooting occurred shortly after 8 p.m., leaving two deceased and several others injured.
Citizen user video shows several officers and EMS on the scene. Caution tape is cordoning off a large portion of the train tracks. Do you have information?
The address reported for this incident has changed to 786 St Clair Ave W.
This alert was created by a community member. Citizen is working to gather more information. If you’re nearby, broadcast live or comment to share updates.
Incident reported at 786B St Clair Ave W.
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People can't just have a good time. There's evil all around. 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
PRAYERS for all Involved and Family and Friends ♥️ 🧡 R.I.P FOR THE PEOPLE LOST OF LIFE
Let’s have some compassion 2 people dead 4 injured politics and finger pointing won’t bring them back. Love your neighbor and have sympathy and support them when something tragic happens
Canada bans all guns basically and still someone got their hands on a gun. It’s almost like criminals don’t listen to laws
@norwalkUser1810219005 you can own guns in Canada in fact more kinds are available but you just can’t carry them without a license and it’s not easy to get one Canada would prefer you keep them at the range locked up or at home locked up unless you’re hunting with them
People can't just have a good time. There's evil all around. 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
PRAYERS for all Involved and Family and Friends ♥️ 🧡 R.I.P FOR THE PEOPLE LOST OF LIFE
Let’s have some compassion 2 people dead 4 injured politics and finger pointing won’t bring them back. Love your neighbor and have sympathy and support them when something tragic happens
Canada bans all guns basically and still someone got their hands on a gun. It’s almost like criminals don’t listen to laws
@norwalkUser1810219005 you can own guns in Canada in fact more kinds are available but you just can’t carry them without a license and it’s not easy to get one Canada would prefer you keep them at the range locked up or at home locked up unless you’re hunting with them
People can't just have a good time. There's evil all around. 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
PRAYERS for all Involved and Family and Friends ♥️ 🧡 R.I.P FOR THE PEOPLE LOST OF LIFE
Let’s have some compassion 2 people dead 4 injured politics and finger pointing won’t bring them back. Love your neighbor and have sympathy and support them when something tragic happens
Canada bans all guns basically and still someone got their hands on a gun. It’s almost like criminals don’t listen to laws
@norwalkUser1810219005 you can own guns in Canada in fact more kinds are available but you just can’t carry them without a license and it’s not easy to get one Canada would prefer you keep them at the range locked up or at home locked up unless you’re hunting with them
People can't just have a good time. There's evil all around. 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
PRAYERS for all Involved and Family and Friends ♥️ 🧡 R.I.P FOR THE PEOPLE LOST OF LIFE
Let’s have some compassion 2 people dead 4 injured politics and finger pointing won’t bring them back. Love your neighbor and have sympathy and support them when something tragic happens
Canada bans all guns basically and still someone got their hands on a gun. It’s almost like criminals don’t listen to laws
@norwalkUser1810219005 you can own guns in Canada in fact more kinds are available but you just can’t carry them without a license and it’s not easy to get one Canada would prefer you keep them at the range locked up or at home locked up unless you’re hunting with them
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People can't just have a good time. There's evil all around. 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
PRAYERS for all Involved and Family and Friends ♥️ 🧡 R.I.P FOR THE PEOPLE LOST OF LIFE
Let’s have some compassion 2 people dead 4 injured politics and finger pointing won’t bring them back. Love your neighbor and have sympathy and support them when something tragic happens
Canada bans all guns basically and still someone got their hands on a gun. It’s almost like criminals don’t listen to laws
@norwalkUser1810219005 you can own guns in Canada in fact more kinds are available but you just can’t carry them without a license and it’s not easy to get one Canada would prefer you keep them at the range locked up or at home locked up unless you’re hunting with them