Two dead in shooting at salsa festival in Toronto – perpetrator at large

Investigations and manhunt

The suspected perpetrator is on the run, the investigators said. Police called on residents and visitors to avoid the affected area and to follow the officers' instructions. Police forces initially remained at the scene to secure evidence and investigate possible backgrounds.

The "Salsa on St. Clair" festival is being held for the 22nd time this year and, according to the organizers, attracts hundreds of thousands of people each year to the streets of the Hillcrest Village neighborhood. The event features Latin American music, artists, and culinary specialties from the region. At the time of the shooting on Saturday evening, numerous visitors were out on the streets around St. Clair Avenue.

Background of the festival

A BBC report classified the incident as a shooting during a street festival on St. Clair Avenue. Police confirmed that the perpetrator or perpetrators had not yet been apprehended at the time of the report. The background to the attack remained unclear initially.

Toronto is a port city on Lake Ontario in southeastern Canada and is one of the country's largest metropolitan areas. The salsa festival is one of the city's best-known Latin American cultural events. The shooting occurred at 8:00 p.m. local time, which corresponds to 2:00 a.m. CEST on Sunday.

Reactions and witness statements

Eyewitnesses reported panic among visitors when the shots rang out. Numerous people fled the area around St. Clair Avenue, while emergency services rushed in quickly to treat the injured. Police cordoned off several streets around the festival site.

The investigation is ongoing. Police asked the public for information that could lead to the apprehension of the perpetrator. Whether it was a lone attacker or multiple individuals involved was part of the ongoing investigation. Police initially made no statement about a motive.

The salsa festival had been scheduled for Saturday evening with live music and dance performances. Following the incident, the further course of the event was being assessed in coordination with the police. Whether the festival would continue on Sunday was initially unclear.

Canadian authorities announced an increased police presence in the area around the incident. Neighboring police departments also supported the investigation. The city administration of Toronto expressed its condolences to the victims and their families.