Arrests made in Salsa on St. Clair shooting that left 2 dead, 5 injured
Posted August 6, 2026 11:34 am.
Last Updated August 6, 2026 12:54 pm.
Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw has announced arrests have been made in the fatal Salsa on St. Clair shooting last month.
During a press conference about the latest U.S. consulate shooting, Demkiw said he was informed Wednesday evening that police had apprehended the persons responsible for the shooting
He would not provide any additional details, but said a press conference would be held Friday to provide more details.
“I have to give a note of gratitude to the homicide team who has been working tirelessly non stop, around the clock. They are still doing their job at the moment … this is very much breaking as we speak,” said Demkiw. “I’ll let them finish their work and we’ll be back here with the details that will be able to be shared and not compromise the investigation.”
Shaquan Quashie, 25, and Cesar Vernaza, 20, were both killed during an exchange of gunfire at the festival that sent five others to a hospital with serious gunshot wounds. All five have non-life-threatening injuries.
Demkiw has previously said the shooting was targeted and the two men who were killed were known to each other. Some of those injured were innocent bystanders, but no further details were released.
Two firearms were also recovered on the scene.
An estimated 13,000 people were attending the festival when shots rang out shortly after 8 p.m. on July 11 in the area of St. Clair Avenue West and Arlington Avenue.
Witnesses tell CityNews they heard multiple gunshots followed by screams from crowds of people who were running for cover.
The rest of the event was cancelled due to the shooting. The future of the festival is now up in the air after the TeleLatino Network (TLN), the founder and main sponsor of Salsa on St. Clair, raised concerns about safety.
The local BIA has also pulled their sponsorship for what they say is a decline in support from residents and businesses.
