Overview
- Gunfire at the Salsa on St. Clair street festival on July 11 killed Shaquan Quashie and Cesar Vernaza and wounded several others as thousands fled the event.
- Toronto police arrested Jessiah Massaro‑Gill and Lewis Downey, both 18, and charged them with a combined 37 counts including two counts of first‑degree murder and multiple counts of attempted murder and firearms offences.
- Officers executed search warrants this week that seized three firearms, narcotics and Canadian currency and investigators say two guns recovered at the festival have been traced to the United States.
- Detectives say new evidence has complicated their initial view that the shooting was a targeted exchange and they are continuing ballistics, forensics and video analysis while asking the public to share footage and tips.
- The attack forced the festival’s cancellation, prompted sponsors to withdraw and led police to increase security at other large Toronto events as the city grapples with public safety and community trauma.