Fear, grief and calls for security after deadly shooting at Toronto street festival
Police said at least two people exchanged gunfire as about 13,000 festivalgoers fled and the event was canceled.
- Roughly 13,000 people gathered at Toronto's Salsa on St. Clair festival Saturday night when gunfire erupted, killing two people and injuring several others; police say at least two people exchanged gunfire at the event.
- The shooting occurred amid rising gun violence in Toronto, where police report 49 people injured or killed this year with 130 shootings recorded, following a separate North York killing Friday and Rebel Nightclub injuries Sunday.
- Police are sorting through phone recordings, witness statements and evidence from three crime scenes, while Macelleria Atlas owner Angela Mazza said the shooting "crushed it for us," and bakery owner Tomer Markovitz urged metal detectors and earlier festival end times.
- Mayor Olivia Chow said Monday the city "will not let reckless criminals stop Toronto's tradition of outdoor street festivals," as The Taste of Danforth confirmed it will proceed with a comprehensive safety plan developed with police and private security.
- York University professor Jack Rozdilsky warned that relocating festivals will not solve gun violence, stating "The point is, the location is not the cause of the violence," as the city balances security improvements with maintaining public celebrations.
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Toronto police chief seeks tough penalties for public attacks such as festival shooting
Toronto's police chief says the deadly shooting that killed two people and sent thousands running for cover at a weekend street festival was a "targeted event," and he called for tougher penalties for such brazen, public gun battles.
Police Release Identities of 2 Men Killed in Toronto Festival
Police have released the identities of the two men killed in the deadly shooting at the Salsa on St. Clair festival in Toronto on July 11 that also left five others with non-life-threatening injuries. The festival celebrating Latin music and culture had roughly 13,000 people gathered when the shooting broke out, according to police. “The victims have been identified as Shaquan Quashie, 25, and Cesar Vernaza, 20,” Toronto Police Service wrote in …
‘It's scary’: Residents uneasy after Salsa on St. Clair shooting
What to know Following a deadly shooting at Salsa on St. Clair over the weekend, some Toronto residents shared they didn’t feel like the brazen... The post ‘It makes you think twice’: Toronto residents divided on safety after Salsa on St. Clair shooting appeared first on NOW Toronto.
They came for music and dancing. Then the night changed forever
TORONTO — A summer celebration meant to bring thousands of people together turned into a scene of fear and chaos when gunfire erupted near a popular Toronto street festival, leaving two people dead and several others injured, The Canadian Press reported. Witnesses described a frantic rush for safety as festivalgoers ran for cover, searched for loved ones and tried to understand what had happened.
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