At least two dead, several others wounded in mass shooting in Canada's Latin street festival: Here's what we know

At least two people were dead, and six others were injured after a mass shooting incident was reported at Canada’s largest Latin street festival in Toronto, police said on Saturday (local time).

Toronto Police, in a post on X, said that an active shooter was at the intersection of St. Clair Avenue West and Arlington Avenue at 8:12 p.m. (local time). It also urged people to stay away from the area in the city’s midtown, where the Salsa on St. Clair festival, celebrating Latin culture, has been held annually for 22 years, CNN reported, citing organizers.

Police said large crowds had gathered along the street shortly after sunset on a warm summer evening when reports emerged of an active shooter and several people being injured. Officers later located six victims suffering from gunshot wounds.

Festivalgoers were seen running along sidewalks away from the scene, which had been cordoned off with yellow police tape, while numerous police SUVs, patrol cars, armoured vehicles and ambulances rushed to the area, according to footage aired by CTV.

Toronto police said they secured the scene almost an hour after the active shooting began but asked people to continue staying away from the area in the city's midtown.

Eyewitnesses recall horror

Speaking to news agency AP, a woman said that she was sitting next to a restaurant on Saturday when she saw several people running and screaming. She noted, "A bunch of people … told us to lay down on the floor," adding, "We got scared because we didn’t know exactly what was happening.”

A vendor at the festival said that she was serving customers when she witnessed "a huge wave" of people running and added, "Everybody started getting frantic, and then we stopped serving." The vendor further said, “I don’t think it should be something that’s happening in these types of events.”

Canada PM, Ontario Premier react to Toronto shooting

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney reacted to the shooting incident. In a post on X, he wrote, "I am horrified by the shooting that has killed two people at the Salsa on St. Clair Festival in Toronto. My prayers are with the families grieving their loved ones, those who are in critical condition, and everyone who has been affected by this horrific event." He added, "My thanks to the police officers and other first responders whose courage and fast action prevented further tragedy. Police have my full support as they work to apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice."

Ontario Premier Doug Ford wrote, "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. Thank you to Toronto Police and our first responders for responding to this horrific incident. The person responsible must be caught, brought to justice, and spend the rest of their life behind bars."