Toronto police say they are responding to an active shooter at the Salsa on St. Clair street festival.
Two people have died while three others have been injured in the shooting on St. Clair Avenue West near Arlington Avenue.
CP24 and CTV News have live coverage of the shooting. Follow for live updates.
9:17 p.m. – Scene secured, police say
In a post on social media, Toronto police say they have secured the scene.
No additional victims have been reported.
“A large police presence remains in the area as officers continue their investigation,” police said in the post.
“Please continue to avoid the area and follow directions from emergency personnel.”
What we know
Police said they got a call at 8:12 p.m. for a shooting on St. Clair Avenue West near Arlington Avenue.
Officers arrived and found five people suffering from gunshot wounds. Police said two were pronounced dead at the scene.
Salsa on St. Clair shooting Police are on the scene of a shooting at the Salsa on St. Clair festival. (Joanna Lavoie)
There is no immediate word on the condition of the other three victims.
“Please avoid the area immediately,” police said.
No descriptions of the shooter have been released.
CP24 reporter describes scene
Joanna Lavoie, a CP24.com journalist, is at the festival. She said people were having fun and enjoying the festival before the shooting.
“We were dancing,” Lavoie said.
She recounted that the energy just changed when the shooting occurred.
“People are terrified,” she said, adding police are telling people to go home.
Salsa on St. Clair Police are on the scene at Salsa on St. Clair. (Joanna Lavoie)
Lavoie said the festival is essentially shut down.
“I’m a little bit shaken,” she said, noting that she came down to the festival to have a fun time with her friends.
What is Salsa on St. Clair festival
The annual TD Salsa on St. Clair happens along St. Clair Avenue West between Christie Street and Winona Drive.
It is touted as Canada’s no. 1 “Latino-themed cultural celebration.”
According to the event, it attracts hundreds of thousands of people during the two-day festivities.