Two people were killed and five others were injured yesterday, Saturday, in a shooting near a festival in Toronto, Canada, police announced.

Authorities initially reported an active shooter, but the incident was caused by an exchange of gunfire between two individuals who were targeting each other.

Toronto Police Deputy Chief Frank Barredo, stated that investigators found two firearms at the scene, where the shooting was reported at 8:12 p.m., near the intersection of St. Clair Avenue West and Arlington Avenue, while the festival was underway. As of late that night, no suspects had been arrested.

Police initially asked the public to leave the area before announcing that the area was now safe. Barendo stated that, despite the fact that there was no active shooter, the two gunmen “indiscriminately endangered a huge number of people.”

Canada: Witnesses Describe Scenes of Panic at Festival After Shooting

Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic, with people screaming and running for their lives, while some told those nearby to get down on the ground. “A group of people… told us to lie down on the floor,” said Valeri Rodriguez, who was sitting in a restaurant. “We were scared because we didn’t know exactly what was happening.”. A festival vendor said she stopped serving customers when she saw a crowd of people fleeing the area in terror.

People RUNNING OFF after Mass Shooting at Toronto’s Salsa on St. Clair Festival https://t.co/hr4ChzLq5d pic.twitter.com/VdyfrTfJiL

— RTN (@RTNToronto) July 12, 2026

A heavy police presence remained at the scene around the annual Latin American cultural festival. Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow expressed her outrage and sadness over the incident at a festival attended by families, while Ontario Premier Doug Ford, said he was shocked by the senseless violence. The police emphasized that, although Toronto is considered one of the safest major cities in the world, unfortunately, incidents of this kind do occur there as well.

Source: iefimerida.gr