Advocates speak out against gun violence following troubling weekend of shootings

Advocates are speaking out against gun violence after a troubling weekend of shootings in Toronto.

Advocates speak out against gun violence following troubling weekend of shootings Shots fired in the area of Polson Pier early Sunday morning: Toronto police Advocates are speaking out against gun violence after a troubling weekend of shootings in Toronto. Just hours after a shooting at the Salsa on St. Clair festival left two people dead, Toronto police say shots were fired in the area of Polson Pier early Sunday morning.

In a post to social media, the Toronto Police Service said officers were called to the area of Polson Street and Cherry Street shortly before 3:30 a.m. Later, in a news release, Toronto police said there was an exchange of gunfire between two people. After the shooting, one of the two people allegedly stole a vehicle from a rideshare driver with customers on board.

Toronto police say the individual struck pedestrians and cars while fleeing the scene. Initially, Toronto police said officers located three people with gunshot wounds upon arrival. The victims were transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, Toronto police said in the post to social media.

However, in the news release, Toronto police said two victims were transported to hospital with gunshot wounds while the third had been struck by the vehicle. One of the accused also sustained gunshot injuries and was transported to hospital. Toronto paramedics told CBC Toronto they transported five people with serious injuries to hospital and one person with life-threatening injuries.

Some of the injuries included gunshot wounds and fractures. In the post to social media, Toronto police initially said five people were arrested. In the news release, Toronto police said one of the accused was arrested and taken into custody.

Officers recovered a firearm in the stolen vehicle. 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. Toronto police continue are looking for the second suspect and the investigation remains ongoing.

Officers noted they don't believe there was any connection to the St. Clair Avenue W. shooting. Sunday's early morning incident also comes after a shooting late Friday night in North York, near Jane Street and Sheppard Avenue W., left one person dead. According to Toronto police data, there have been six firearm discharges this July.

In 2025, that number was two. Robert Bennett, who is the founder of anti-violence initiative Silence the Violence and Shunning Guns, expressed his deepest condolences to those affected by the violent weekend in Toronto. He says officials haven't done enough to get ahead of gun violence.

"When the economy goes down, crime goes up. It's a teeter totter approach," he said. Bennett recommends offering 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," he said. "We need to take steps prior to these individuals engaging this activity." Torontonians describe chaos, heartbreak after fatal shooting at St. Clair festival - live updates Witnesses, residents recount aftermath of Toronto festival shooting that left 2 dead, multiple people injured Despite this, Wendy Cukier, of the Coalition for Gun Control, says one violent weekend shouldn't spark panic.

"Every shooting is concerning, of course, and every shooting makes us feel less secure. But I think you have to look at the overall picture," she said. "If we look specifically at firearm incidents, they have gone up but firearm homicides have actually leveled out."

"It's really important not to overreact to a weekend of violence," she said. The Toronto Police Association also addressed the unusually violent weekend, thanking officers for their dedication and professionalism “especially in cases where they ran towards danger to keep people safe.”