Arrests made for fatal Salsa on St. Clair festival shooting: Toronto police chief

Toronto police will share more information on the case, arrests on Friday, said Chief Myron Demkiw

Arrests have been made related to the shooting at Toronto's Salsa on St. Clair festival last month, Toronto police Chief Myron Demkiw told reporters Thursday.

At an unrelated news conference, Demkiw said he was notified late Wednesday night that suspects tied to the shooting had been arrested. He said more information would be shared at a news conference on Friday.

Up until now, Toronto police had not shared any details on suspects behind the July 11 incident. The shooting, which saw gunfire erupt in the midst of a packed street festival, claimed the lives of Shaquan Quashie, 25, and Cesar Vernaza, 20, injured four others and sent thousands running for cover.

Police said they believed the incident was targeted and that two firearms had been recovered at the scene. Nearly 13,000 people had gathered at the Latin culture event on that day, police said.

Demkiw on Thursday acknowledged concerns ahead of another popular Toronto street festival, the Taste of Danforth, taking place this weekend.

"[The homicide team] are still doing their job," he said. "I'll let them finish their work and then we'll be back here with the details."

The Salsa on St. Clair shooting led to the cancellation of the rest of the festival, with doubts about whether it may continue next year.

Members of the community have spoken out to share their stories from that day and held a vigil last month in memory of the victims.