Were 'Salsa on St. Clair' shooting victims part of the gunplay?
· Toronto Sun
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It is possible that the men who died on Saturday received the ultimate form of street justice.
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At least, that is one working theory from a law enforcement source, who spoke to the Toronto Sun under the condition of anonymity.
Two men were killed and four people were hospitalized after a pair of gunmen opened fire at the Salsa on St. Clair festival on Saturday evening.
“Both victims signed their own death warrants. They caused this tragedy,” the source alleged. “Both of the dead guys had guns on them (and) were part of the shooting. In fact, we believe they started the gunplay. The only silver lining is that no innocents died.”
Chow hopes to stem flow of guns
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow is hoping to stop the flow of guns coming in from the United States and hitting Toronto streets.
While addressing Saturday’s shooting during a press conference, Chow said she’s spoken to Federal Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree and urged him to work with his American counterpart to “stem the flow of illegal American guns into Toronto’s streets.”
“I have every confidence that Toronto police will find those responsible, and they have my full support with whatever resources we need,” said Chow.
‘This has got to stop’
Deputy mayor and councillor Mike Colle ripped into the criminals who, he said, disturbed the peace and sanctity for thousands of people on a warm night in the city.
“We just want to say how disgusted this is. This gangster violence at a peaceful family festival,” Colle said at the Saturday press conference. “We have had this for 15 years and no problems and they shoot up a festival indiscriminately; these thugs must be caught. No bail, put them away for 20 years, as this threatens all of our public events. This has got to stop.”
Toronto Deputy Mayor Mike Colle strong arms his way into the Toronto Police media briefing to say that people who shoot up public festivals should be "put away for 20 years" pic.twitter.com/B6UFMXagtG
— Toronto Crime Watch (@CrimewatchTO) July 12, 2026
Toronto police said about 13,000 people were at the event when gunfire broke out shortly after 8 p.m. near St. Clair Ave. West and Arlington Ave. Police recovered two firearms and established three crime scenes, but no arrests have been made.
“There seemed to be an exchange of gunfire between individuals targeting each other,” Toronto Police Service deputy chief Frank Barredo said during the news conference. Four of the wounded were hospitalized with “serious” injuries.
‘Reckless and disgusting’
“The shooting at Salsa on St. Clair was reckless and disgusting,” Chow added. “It happened at a crowded festival with families enjoying a summer night. The pain caused by senseless gun violence is unimaginable. It ripples through communities, casting a long shadow of fear and anger.”
Sunday’s portion of the festival was cancelled as police continued a “complex” investigation; they’re asking people to avoid the area.
I visited the scene on St. Clair today and met with our investigators and members from @TPS13Div.
— Chief Myron Demkiw (@TPSMyronDemkiw) July 12, 2026
I am grateful for their professionalism and dedication, and I assured them they have my full support as they work around the clock to find those responsible.
This kind of… pic.twitter.com/46jdcmUmvw
“The brazen violence we witnessed in the middle of a community festival, where thousands were gathered to enjoy a summer evening with friends and family is heartbreaking and unacceptable,” Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw posted on X.