Toronto shooting: two dead and four injured near street festival, with suspect still at large

A shooting near a Toronto street festival killed two people and wounded four others on Saturday, prompting police to warn of an active shooter before later saying the scene was secure.

Toronto police said six people were found with gunshot wounds after the shooting near St Clair Avenue West and Arlington Avenue, where the Salsa on St Clair festival was underway.

There was no immediate information about the condition of the four remaining injured. Police initially reported that five people had been found with gunshot wounds.

Officers initially urged the public to avoid the area while they responded. Police later said the scene had been secured but cautioned that a suspect or suspects had not been apprehended.

A large police presence remained in the area near Salsa in Toronto, a Latino themed cultural celebration.

Ontario premier Doug Ford said in a social media post: “I am devastated by the senseless violence at the Salsa on St Clair Festival that has claimed two lives and injured others. My thoughts are with the victims, their families and everyone affected.”

Toronto, Canada’s largest city, is among North America’s safest major cities. Fatal shootings, particularly those involving multiple victims in public, are relatively rare.