Two men were killed and four others injured during an exchange of gunfire at the Salsa on St. Clair festival in midtown Toronto on Saturday, July 12, 2026. Toronto Police Service (TPS) recovered two firearms from the scene and are currently seeking several suspects, according to Deputy Chief Frank Barredo.
Details of the Salsa on St. Clair Shooting
The gunfire occurred shortly after 8 p.m. on a sweltering Saturday evening. Approximately 13,000 people were gathered across several city blocks for the 22nd annual celebration of Latin culture. According to the Toronto Police Service, one victim died on the street near St. Clair Avenue West and Arlington Avenue, while a second man died in a hospital. Four additional people suffered injuries.
Witnesses described a scene of sudden panic. Sally Jones, who was at the Ferro Bar Cafe on the corner of Arlington and St. Clair, told The Globe and Mail that she hit the floor to take cover after a “stampede” of people rushed into the bar reporting more shots. Jones and other patrons sheltered in a back room for two hours until police cleared the area.
Police initially reported an active shooter was at large, but Deputy Chief Frank Barredo later clarified this was not the case. Chief Myron Demkiw stated Sunday that the TPS will be “relentless” in pursuing justice, calling the violence “heartbreaking and unacceptable.”
Security Disputes and Past Incidents
This is not the first firearm-related event at the festival. In July 2024, TPS arrested a man near St. Clair Avenue and Rushton Road after he hit someone with a loaded nine-millimetre handgun and fired one bullet, according to a police news release. That individual faced seven charges, including attempted murder.
Aldo Di Felice, president of TLN Media Group Inc., which founded the festival, claims the city has failed to provide adequate security. In an email, Di Felice said he had raised concerns about a “shrinking police presence” and “increasing indifference” from the city regarding public safety. He described the event as “terrorism” and expressed repulsion at Deputy Chief Barredo’s comment that Toronto is “an extremely safe city.”
TPS acting manager, media relations Nadine Ramadan defended the police presence, stating in an email that both paid duty and on-duty officers were working the event from a command post. Ramadan added that Toronto has seen a downward trend in shootings and homicides, which she says are at their lowest levels in years.
Community Impact and Potential Future of the Event
The second day of the festival was cancelled on Sunday. Police cordoned off St. Clair Avenue from Christie Street to Winona Drive, forcing local businesses to close. On Sunday afternoon, abandoned taco and empanada kiosks remained at the epicenter of the violence, surrounded by garbage and melting food, according to reports.
The festival was originally designed to help businesses along St. Clair West that were negatively impacted by the installation of a dedicated streetcar line over a decade ago. It is supported by The Hillcrest Village Business Improvement Area.
City councillor Josh Matlow (Ward 12, Toronto-St. Paul’s) stated that all options regarding the festival’s future may now be considered. This could include:
- Limiting the event to daytime hours only.
- Moving the festival to a different location.
- Permanently cancelling the event.
Matlow said the city must “get real” if the festival has outgrown its original mandate and is having an adverse effect on the community.
City Response and Safety Measures
Braman Thillainathan, press secretary for Mayor Olivia Chow, stated in an email that the Mayor has made record investments in public safety. According to Thillainathan, these funds have provided hundreds of additional police officers, improved 911 services, and youth violence prevention programs. He also noted that the city has established a specific fund for street festival safety.
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