Prime Minister Mark Carney condemned two overnight shootings at synagogues in the Toronto area, that were struck by gunfire.
He said in a statement that the shootings were “an assault on the rights of Jewish Canadians to live and pray in safety. They are also fundamental violations of the Canadian way of life.”
York Regional Police said officers responded at around 11:49 p.m. Friday to reports of shots fired near Clark Avenue and York Hill Boulevard in Thornhill.
When officers arrived, they located evidence of gunfire directed at a building on Clark Avenue. No injuries were reported, but police say the building sustained some damage.
Carney said that federal agencies, including the RCMP, will support law enforcement in identifying those responsible and bringing them “to the full weight of justice.”
Vaughan Mayor Steven Del Duca also issued a statement Saturday morning.
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“I am both disgusted and angered to learn that the Beth Avraham Yosef of Toronto synagogue in our community has been hit with gunfire overnight,” he said.
“Thankfully, no one was injured, but I know this hateful and anti-Semitic act will affect my Jewish residents deeply.”
Del Duca added that there will be more police presence around synagogues today.
YRP said a mobile command post will be set up at Promenade Mall Saturday where officers will be available to answer questions and address concerns from the public.
Toronto police are also investigating a firearm discharge reported shortly after midnight near Bathurst Street and Glencairn Avenue.
Police say officers responded around 12:08 a.m. after reports of gunshots and later located bullet holes in the front door of a building on Glencairn Avenue.
Authorities confirmed the building is a synagogue. No injuries were reported.
Toronto city councillor Brad Bradford condemned the shooting. “I am horrified and outraged,” he wrote in a social media post, saying the synagogue had been celebrating Purim earlier in the week.
Bradford also said Toronto Police will have increased presence outside the place of worship ,”but it’s long past time for real action to build a city where that isn’t required. Where hateful acts like this are prevented, and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
In the wake of two overnight shootings, The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs and UJA Federation of Greater Toronto issued a statement urging for more protection.
‘”Our leaders must be absolutely clear that it is outrageous for Canadian communities to face violence because of events happening abroad. No more “thoughts and prayers,” we need to see urgent action,”‘ it wrote.
“All levels of government must move immediately to address the escalating security demands of communities targeted by this wave of violence. Resources should flow quickly and distributed directly to communities most at risk.”
Toronto police and York Police are urging anyone with information, video or dash camera footage related to the shootings to contact authorities.
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