Gunfire outside US Consulate marks second attack in months
Photo: REUTERS
An unidentified individual fired at least one shot outside the US Consulate in downtown Toronto on Monday morning, marking the second such attack on the building in the last four months.
Toronto Police Service confirmed that while the gunfire caused physical damage to the front of the structure on University Avenue, the incident resulted in no injuries. Officers stationed nearby heard the shot around 4:46 am EDT and quickly discovered a shell casing at the scene.
Although police briefly pursued a white sedan seen fleeing the area at high speed, they eventually discontinued the chase due to safety concerns.
The latest security breach follows a similar shooting on 10 March, which occurred alongside several other attacks targeting synagogues in Canada’s largest city. In response to that wave of violence, authorities had already increased the security presence at both the US and Israeli consulates.
Investigators revealed in June that certain entities were paying young people in the Toronto area to carry out shootings at various locations, including Jewish schools, synagogues, and the US Consulate.
While law enforcement arrested three individuals in connection with the March incident, one police officer tragically died during that operation.
Toronto Deputy Police Chief Frank Barredo noted that the investigation remains in its preliminary stages and declined to comment on a specific motive or potential links to earlier crimes.
Barredo told reporters, “We’ll point out that it is quite early in this investigation. Some information I may not be able to share, and some information I simply may not know at this point.”
Despite the disturbance, a spokesperson for the US Department of State confirmed that the US Embassy and its consulates in Canada remain open and are maintaining normal operations, though the Toronto office is rescheduling some routine consular services.
The spokesperson added, “We appreciate the ongoing cooperation between US and Canadian law enforcement to keep our consulate safe.”
The shooting drew sharp condemnation from Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who also highlighted recent acts of vandalism at two Jewish bakeries over the weekend.
Ford expressed his frustration on the social media platform X, saying, “I’m totally disgusted by the shootings and vandalism that took place in Toronto over the last few days, including at two Jewish-owned businesses over the weekend and near the US Consulate this morning.”
He emphasized that active investigations are underway for all these cases, concluding, “I expect all those responsible to be found, prosecuted and punished to the fullest extent of the law.”
Source: Reuters (adapted)
