One of Salsa on St. Clair’s longtime sponsors has announced it is ending its support for the festival following the tragic shooting that claimed two lives and injured five others earlier this month.

The Hillcrest Village Business Improvement Area (BIA) confirmed it has voted to withdraw its sponsorship, saying the annual festival has outgrown the neighbourhood and no longer provides the same benefits to local businesses.

BIA chair Heather Hannah said many merchants had become less interested in participating in recent years, citing concerns about noise, garbage, disruptive behaviour and visitors who were not supporting local businesses.

The decision comes just weeks after gunfire erupted during the festival on July 11, killing Shaquan Quashie, 25, and Cesar Vernaza, 20, while leaving five others injured. No arrests have been made and the investigation remains ongoing.

Following the tragedy, TLN Media Group, which organizes the festival, warned it would reconsider the future of Salsa on St. Clair unless stronger security measures were put in place. The organization has since said Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow’s office has committed to working with organizers to improve safety and help ensure the festival can continue.

Mayor Chow said the future of the event will ultimately depend on the wishes of local residents and the community, adding that the City remains committed to supporting Toronto’s popular street festivals.

Since its launch in 2005, Salsa on St. Clair has become one of Canada’s largest celebrations of Latin culture, attracting thousands of visitors each summer for music, food and dance.