The Toronto Police Chief has vowed to find those responsible for a mass shooting that occurred during the Salsa on St. Clair festival, which resulted in two fatalities and multiple injuries.
The shooting took place on Saturday night, sending attendees scrambling and prompting event organizers to cancel the final day of the celebration on Sunday.
Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw described the violence as "heartbreaking and unacceptable," and assured the public that all necessary resources were being made available to investigative teams.
Deputy Chief Frank Barredo stated that two men were killed and four people were hospitalized after an "exchange of gunfire between individuals," with two firearms recovered and three crime scenes being investigated.
The area where the shooting occurred, St. Clair Ave. W. between Christie St. and Winona Dr., was closed to vehicle traffic due to the festival and remained closed as police continued their investigation.
The police investigation was described as "complex," with Deputy Chief Barredo stating that approximately 13,000 people were at the festival at the time of the shooting, making the scene particularly chaotic.
Though police have not released information about the victims, a source reported that a 40-year-old man, a 19-year-old woman, and another female were among those injured in the shooting.
The organizers of Salsa in Toronto, the event's organizer, issued a statement expressing their shock and sadness at the shootings, and extending their condolences to the victims' families and those affected by the violence.
City officials, including Councillor Josh Matlow and Mayor Olivia Chow, responded to the shooting, with Matlow describing the scene as "surreal" and Chow stating she was "disgusted and angered" by the shooting.
Deputy Mayor and Councillor Mike Colle blamed "weak laws" for the shooting, calling for changes to bail laws and the prosecution of gun-related crimes.
As the city grapples with the aftermath of the shooting, questions arise about the root causes of such violence and the need for effective measures to prevent it.
