The Salsa on St. Clair festival has been cancelled due to a deadly mass shooting that occurred during the event on Saturday night.
Organizers of the festival, Salsa in Toronto, released a statement saying the event will not resume on Sunday, July 12, due to a complex police investigation at the scene.
The statement also expressed shock and sadness at the shooting, with the organizers offering condolences to the victims' families and those affected by the violence.
Toronto Police confirmed that two men were killed and four others were hospitalized after shots rang out near St. Clair Ave. W. and Arlington Ave.
The area was cordoned off due to the festival, which was taking place on St. Clair Ave. W. between Christie St. and Winona Dr.
Toronto Police Deputy Chief Frank Barredo described the shooting as an "exchange of gunfire between individuals," with two firearms recovered from the scene.
No arrests have been made, and the investigation is ongoing, with Barredo describing it as "complex" due to the chaotic nature of the scene.
Approximately 13,000 people were in attendance at the festival at the time of the shooting, according to Barredo.
City officials have responded to the shooting, with Toronto Councillor Josh Matlow describing the scene as "surreal" and expressing his condolences to the victims and their families.
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow said she was "disgusted and angered" by the shooting, describing it as a "reckless, despicable act of violence" at a crowded festival.
Deputy Mayor and Councillor Mike Colle blamed "weak laws" for the shooting, calling for stricter measures to be taken against gun crime.
The shooting has raised concerns about violence and safety in the city, with many calling for action to be taken to prevent such incidents in the future.
