Gun violence advocates call for action after Toronto's troubling weekend of shootings
Following a deadly shooting at Salsa on St. Clair and another at Polson Pier, community leaders and anti-violence advocates are urging officials to address root causes of rising gun violence.
The day's top stories, food & events — every morning at 7. Unsubscribe anytime.
Community advocates are speaking out against gun violence following a troubling weekend of shootings in Toronto. Hours after two people were killed at the Salsa on St. Clair festival Saturday evening, Toronto police responded to gunfire in the area of Polson Street and Cherry Street early Sunday morning, July 13, shortly before 3:30 a.m.
At Polson Pier, an exchange of gunfire between two people left three with gunshot wounds. One of the two people allegedly involved then stole a vehicle from a rideshare driver with customers on board and struck pedestrians and cars while fleeing. One of the accused sustained gunshot injuries and was transported to hospital. Toronto paramedics transported five people with serious injuries and one person with life-threatening injuries to hospital. A 25-year-old man from Brampton was charged with discharging a firearm recklessly, unauthorized possession of a firearm, robbery, four counts of forcible confinement, and dangerous operation causing bodily harm. Police continue investigating and are looking for a second suspect.
The weekend's violence also followed a shooting late Friday night near Jane Street and Sheppard Avenue W. in North York that left one person dead. According to Toronto police data, there have been six firearm discharges in July 2026—compared to two in July 2025.
Robert Bennett, founder of anti-violence initiative Silence the Violence and Shunning Guns, expressed his deepest condolences to those affected and said officials haven't done enough to prevent gun violence. "When the economy goes down, crime goes up," he said, urging employment opportunities designed to close the wealth gap. "Until we realize and understand that we have an economic imbalance that exists, these things will continue on inevitably."
Wendy Cukier of the Coalition for Gun Control cautioned against panic following one violent weekend, stressing that every shooting is concerning and reinforces the need for sustained policy action.
