Toronto Festival Shooting Leaves Two Dead, Police Vow Pursuit

Toronto's police chief promised a "relentless pursuit" of the shooters after a Saturday night attack at the Salsa on St. Clair festival left two men dead and four others wounded. The violence erupted around 8 p.m. local time as roughly 13,000 people gathered for the annual Latin culture celebration.

Videos posted on social media showed festivalgoers sprinting through streets and alleyways to escape. Doorbell camera footage obtained by CTV News captured panicked crowds running at full speed down a narrow alley.

Police said the initial investigation suggests two shooters were targeting each other. Two firearms were recovered. No arrests had been made as of Sunday afternoon.

"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," Toronto Police Service Chief Myron Demkiw said in a statement. "All the necessary resources are being made available to our investigative teams and we will be relentless in our pursuit of those responsible."

The festival was shut down Saturday night. Organizers canceled the planned second day on Sunday.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he was "horrified" by the shooting. "My prayers are with the families grieving their loved ones, those who are in critical condition, and everyone who has been affected by this horrific event," he wrote on social media. He thanked first responders and said police have his full support.

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow called the attack "reckless" and "irresponsible." She urged anyone with video or other evidence to come forward.

The shooting marks the second mass-casualty incident in a Canadian public space this year, following a January attack at a Vancouver mall that left three dead. Police have not released a motive or identified the victims.