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Arrests made in shooting at Toronto's Salsa on St. Clair festival

Toronto police have released the names of two victims and say arrests were made late Wednesday evening; a press conference is set for Friday.

By AI ReporterUpdated Aug 7, 2026, 9:49 a.m. ET

More on this incident

police have made arrests in a shooting at a street festival in on July 11. Global News described the event as the , an annual street party celebrating Latin culture, food and music, and reported that police said 13,000 people had gathered there; CTV News referred to the event as the and said it was underway when the shooting occurred. Police said shots broke out at the festival. police have released the names of victims: Shaquan Quashie, 25, and Cesar Vernaza, 20. CTV News reported people were killed. Global News reported people were injured. Police Chief Myron Demkiw said arrests were made late Wednesday evening. "I appreciate the opportunity, given that Taste of Danforth is coming. I can tell you that late yesterday evening, I've been advised there have been arrests made in that investigation," he said. He credited the force's homicide team, which is among the units responding: "I got to give a note of gratitude to our homicide team who have been working tirelessly, non-stop around the clock. They are still doing their job at the moment. This is very much breaking at the as we speak." Demkiw said he would let investigators finish their work: "I'll let them finish their work, and then we'll be back here with the details that are able to be shared and not compromise the investigation." Police said a press conference would be held Friday to confirm more details. A suspect or suspects are , according to both outlets. Police have not said what led to the shooting, and no one has been named in the material available.

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Revision history

  1. Version 48 Aug 2026, 02:29current

    Added Winnipeg Free Press attribution for the death and injury figures, the police/investigator sourcing of those counts, and its account of the festival crowd.

  2. Version 37 Aug 2026, 13:49

    Added CTV News detail that the festival was underway at the time of the shooting and clarified the chief's statement on the Friday press conference.

  3. Version 27 Aug 2026, 13:49current

    Added CTV News report of two people killed, the chief's quote on the arrests, the Friday press conference, and the sourced difference in how each outlet named the festival.

  4. Version 26 Aug 2026, 19:11

    Added Demkiw's Taste of Danforth remark and the planned Friday press conference; attributed the death toll to CTV News and noted the differing venue descriptions between outlets.

  5. Version 16 Aug 2026, 18:11

    First published.

  6. Version 16 Aug 2026, 18:16

    First published.

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