Two people are dead and six others are injured after an evening shooting at a street festival in Toronto.
The police warned shortly before 20:30 about an active attacker in St. Clair Avenue West near Arlington Avenue, site of the annual Salsa on St Clair festival.
Footage posted on social media showed crowds of people running on St Clair, where police quickly descended.
Toronto police offered few details as the shooting unfolded, calling it an “active” situation.
By 9:30 p.m., police said they had “secured the scene.” They confirmed that two people were pronounced dead at the scene and that six other people were found with gunshot wounds.
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“A large police presence remains in the area as officers continue their investigation,” Toronto police wrote on social media. Please continue to avoid the area and follow the instructions of emergency personnel.”
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said he was “devastated” by the violence that marred the weekend.
“My thoughts are with the victims, their families and all those affected,” he wrote in a post on social networks.
“Thank you to the Toronto Police and our first responders for responding to this horrific incident. The person responsible must be caught, brought to justice and spend the rest of their life behind bars.”
The shooting happened on the evening of Salsa’s first night in St. Clair, which was scheduled to take place on Saturday and Sunday.
Now in its 22nd year, the festival is a celebration of Latino culture with performances as well as many of the street food stalls seen at other events around town during the summer.
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