Toronto’s annual Salsa on St. Clair festival has been cancelled after a tragic shooting on Saturday night left two people dead and four others seriously injured.

The violence erupted shortly after 8 p.m. near St. Clair Avenue West and Arlington Avenue, sending thousands of festivalgoers running for safety. Toronto police believe the incident involved an exchange of gunfire between two individuals who were targeting each other in the middle of the crowd.

An estimated 13,000 people were attending the popular Latin street festival when the shooting occurred. Two firearms were recovered at the scene, and Toronto Police’s Homicide and Guns and Gangs units continue to investigate. As of Monday, no arrests had been made and no suspect descriptions have been released.

Festival organizers confirmed that Sunday’s celebrations were cancelled due to the ongoing police investigation.

“We are shocked and deeply saddened by the shootings at the Salsa on St. Clair festival,” organizers said in a statement.

In a touching tribute to the victims, Toronto’s iconic CN Tower dimmed its lights at the top of every hour on Sunday evening. The gesture honoured those who lost their lives and everyone impacted by the tragedy, while the city continues to mourn.

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow called the violence “deeply disturbing,” noting that families, children and seniors were among those attending the festival. Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Prime Minister Mark Carney also offered their condolences and called for those responsible to be brought to justice.

What began as a celebration of Latin music, dance and culture ended in heartbreak, leaving Toronto’s Latin community and the entire city mourning one of the darkest moments in the festival’s history.