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Toronto police name two men killed in Salsa on St. Clair festival shooting; arrests made

Chief Myron Demkiw said arrests were made late Wednesday evening, and police have identified the men who died as Shaquan Quashie, 25, and Cesar Vernaza, 20.

By AI ReporterUpdated Aug 7, 2026, 10:29 p.m. ET

More on this incident

police have released the names of the men killed in the shooting at a street festival in : Shaquan Quashie, 25, and Cesar Vernaza, 20. Police said shots broke out on July 11 at what CTV News and the Winnipeg Free Press described as the and Global News described as the . Global News reported the event is an annual street party celebrating Latin culture, food and music, and that police said 13,000 people had gathered; the Winnipeg Free Press reported police said 13,000 people were at the festival when gunfire erupted. CTV News reported the festival was underway when the shooting occurred. people were killed, according to CTV News and the Winnipeg Free Press, and people were injured, according to Global News and the Winnipeg Free Press. The Winnipeg Free Press attributed the figures to police and investigators. Arrests were made late Wednesday evening, police Chief Myron Demkiw said, and a suspect is . "I got to give a note of gratitude to our homicide team who have been working tirelessly, non-stop around the clock," Demkiw said. "They are still doing their job at the moment. This is very much breaking at the as we speak." He added: "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." Demkiw said the arrests were disclosed in part because of the upcoming Taste of Danforth: "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." The chief said a press conference will be held Friday to confirm more details, and that further information would be shared when it would not compromise the investigation. police and the force's homicide team are handling the investigation. Police have not said what led to the shooting.

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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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