Updated August 6, 2026 @ 5:42pm
Arrests have been made in a shooting at a weekend street festival that left two people dead, injured several others and sent thousands running for cover last month, Toronto's police chief said Thursday.
Speaking at an unrelated news conference, police Chief Myron Demkiw said the "persons responsible" for the July 11 attack at the Salsa on St. Clair festival have been apprehended.
“I have been advised there have been arrests made in that investigation,” he said in a response to a question about the case.
Demkiw said investigators are still working on the case and will provide more details Friday.
“I’ll let them finish their work and we’ll be back here with the details that will be able to be shared and not compromise the investigation,” he said.
Police have said 13,000 people were at the festival when gunfire erupted.
They said the shooting was a "targeted event," and identified the victims as 25-year-old Shaquan Quashie and 20-year-old Cesar Vernaza. The two knew each other, police said, adding four others were also sent to hospital.
The second day of the festival was cancelled as police continued their investigation. The annual event celebrates Latin culture, food and music.
The public shooting also intensified fears of gun violence and increased scrutiny of the security measures planned for other events in the city's packed summer calendar.
Toronto police deployed additional officers to the Caribbean Carnival parade held last weekend.
Organizers for Taste of Danforth, a popular public event set to return this Friday after a two-year hiatus, have said they worked with police and private security for months on a "comprehensive" safety plan.
Police said Thursday afternoon they will ramp up their presence to ensure public safety during the three-day festival.
The City of Toronto has said it is committed to reviewing its approach and support the creation of a Toronto Festivals Association to strengthen public safety of such events.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 6, 2026.
