2 Dead, Several Injured In Toronto Shooting, Police Say

Two people were killed and multiple others were injured in a shooting in Toronto, police said, as crowds gathered for the Salsa on St. Clair festival.

Toronto police reported the deaths and said several people suffered gunshot wounds in the incident, which happened in the city’s west end near the festival area. Emergency crews responded as officers moved into the neighborhood to secure the scene and search for the shooter.

Authorities described the situation as an active-shooter investigation, issuing a public warning for people to avoid the area. Police said they were looking for the suspect while information was still being confirmed.

The shooting unfolded during Salsa on St. Clair, a major street festival that draws large crowds. The event is typically held along St. Clair Avenue West and features live music, food vendors, and performances. Officials did not immediately provide the exact intersection, but multiple local reports placed the response near the festival footprint in the west end.

Police have not released the names of the two people who died. They also have not provided ages or other identifying details about the victims, or said how many people were injured in total. News reports citing police said five people had gunshot wounds.

The incident sent a jolt through one of the city’s busiest summer events and raised immediate questions about public safety and security planning around large gatherings. A shooting in a festival setting can create rapid confusion and complicate emergency response, as first responders must treat victims while also trying to locate an armed suspect and prevent additional harm.

It also places pressure on investigators to quickly determine what happened and reassure the public. Police will need to establish a timeline, identify the shooter, and determine whether the attack was directed at specific individuals or random. Authorities have not yet provided that assessment in their initial statements.

In the near term, the focus is on stabilizing the injured, notifying families, and collecting evidence. Police will likely canvass for witnesses, review nearby surveillance footage, and ask the public for information as they work to identify and locate the suspect. Updates on the suspect description, arrests, or additional victim details are expected as the investigation continues.

Officials have not said whether festival programming was paused or canceled, but police warnings indicated an active, evolving situation in the area. Residents and visitors were urged to stay away while officers conducted their search.

The shootings left two people dead in a place that had been filled with music and crowds, and police said their investigation remained active.