Final day of Salsa on St. Clair festival cancelled as police investigate fatal double shooting
Posted July 12, 2026 11:52 am.
Last Updated July 12, 2026 8:21 pm.
The final day of Salsa on St. Clair has been cancelled as police continue to investigate a fatal double-shooting at the popular Latin street festival.
In an Instagram post, organizers said the festival would not resume on Sunday, “due to the complex police investigations at the scene.”
“Our thoughts are with the families of the two persons killed, those who were injured and everyone affected by this senseless violence,” the post said.
Toronto Police said an estimated 13,000 people were attending the festival when shots rang out shortly after 8 p.m. on Saturday in the area of St. Clair Avenue West and Arlington Avenue. One man was killed at the scene, and another died in hospital in an exchange of gunfire that sent at least four others to hospital with serious gunshot wounds.
Police cordoned off three separate crime scenes and found two firearms, officials said. As of Sunday morning, they had made no arrests.
“People were running in between my home and on the porch, ducking for shelter, and at first I thought it was an overflow of people; I thought the crowd was pushing people into my street,” one witness told CityNews of the chaotic scene on Saturday night. “I came out, and that’s when I knew it was shots that I heard, that’s what those bangs were, and it was people running for cover, and running for their lives.”
A local business owner who was part of the festival says they were shocked by what transpired.
“My parents have a business, we were cooking outside, everything was going smoothly, and all of a sudden we heard a few shots, and I didn’t know what a gunshot sounds like – and when somebody said ‘gunshot,’ I looked behind me and I just see all these people running,” she said. “I said let’s get inside, and everyone followed us. I didn’t know what to do. I was kind of overwhelmed. I was letting people in and then I locked the door, and we just stayed there for a bit. …we were just in shock.”
Tomer Markovitz, owner of Romi’s Restaurant and Bakery on St. Clair Avenue West, said he and other business owners on the street shut their operations down early Saturday because they anticipated trouble and they have been urging the city and festival officials to beef up security.
They also asked festival organizers to end the celebrations earlier in the day this year, ahead of nighttime drinking that could end in unrest, he said.
“We need … more of everything here in order to contain this, because this is one of the biggest street festivals in Canada,” he said in an interview. “So even if you put a metal detector in order to come into a festival, it’s not the end of the world … It’s just to make sure everyone inside is safe.”
He said he hoped the festival would take place somewhere else next year, “somewhere else that they can contain it.”
Gangster violence
Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw called it a “tragic and violent night in Toronto.”
“The brazen violence we witnessed in the middle of a community festival where thousands were gathered to enjoy a summer evening with family and friends is heartbreaking and unacceptable,” he wrote in a social media post.
Politicians of all stripes expressed their shock and anger at the violence.
“I’m deeply disturbed and angry about this reckless, irresponsible act of violence, right in the middle of a festival attended by families, children, seniors,” said Mayor Olivia Chow.
Coun. Mike Colle lashed out at those responsible for what he called “gangster violence” at a family event.
“These thugs must be caught, no bail, put em away for 20 years. This threatens all of our public events. This has got to stop.”
Premier Doug Ford echoed those comments, saying the persons responsible “must be caught, brought to justice and spend the rest of their life behind bars.”
Strength of community
The Hillcrest Village Business Improvement Area, which represents more than 90 businesses in the St. Clair West area, said on social media that Salsa on St. Clair has “long been a celebration of culture, community and connection.”
“It is devastating that an event dedicated to bringing people together has been overshadowed by this act of violence,” the organization said in an Instagram post.
Soul2Sole Latin Dance Company, which offers salsa and Latin dance lessons in Toronto and its surrounding area, said it has been part of the Salsa on St. Clair community for more than two decades.
“In moments like these, we are reminded of the strength of community,” the company said on Instagram. “We stand together in support, compassion and hope for healing for all those impacted.”
WNBA team Toronto Tempo also posted its condolences on the social media platform, thanking first responders and pledging solidarity with the community “in hope for healing, strength and peace in this difficult time.”
Files from The Canadian Press and CityNews’ Brandon Choghri were used in this report
