Two men were killed and five bystanders injured in a shooting at Toronto’s Salsa on St. Clair festival on Saturday evening, sparking responses from mayoral candidates Olivia Chow and Brad Bradford.
Shooting at Toronto's Salsa on St. Clair festival
The incident occurred during the annual Latin American-themed street festival, causing panic as hundreds fled for cover. Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow condemned the violence in a video statement, calling it “reckless and disgusting” and praising first responders. She also urged federal cooperation with U.S. authorities to curb the flow of illegal guns into the city.
Chow emphasized Toronto’s resilience, stating that such violence would not deter residents from enjoying summer festivals. Her remarks were measured, blending sympathy with a call for continued vigilance.
Brad Bradford criticizes mayor's response
Councillor Brad Bradford, Chow’s main rival in the Oct. 26 mayoral race, criticized her response as insufficient. He argued that her description of the incident as a “difficult weekend” downplayed its severity, noting that more than a dozen people were shot in separate incidents across Toronto that weekend.
Bradford, who pledged to take a seat on the police board if elected, called for stricter bail reform and gun control measures. He dismissed police statements that Toronto remains one of the safest cities globally as “tone-deaf,” insisting that residents “don’t live in a spreadsheet of numbers.”
Toronto crime statistics
Police data shows Toronto recorded 45 homicides in 2025, the lowest in years. Deputy Chief Frank Barredo acknowledged the shootings as “brazen” but noted that overall crime trends remain positive compared to other major cities, such as Chicago, which reported 43 homicides in June alone.
