Toronto police say an arrest has been made after three people were shot at outside a synagogue Thursday night in what investigators are treating as a hate-motivated incident.
Police said people were standing in front of Chasidei Bobov synagogue in the area of Bathurst Street and Highway 401 when someone in a vehicle fired at them with a replica firearm.
One person was struck and suffered minor injuries. No one was taken to hospital. Officers are investigating the matter as a hate-motivated offence, Toronto police said.
Police say they arrested an 18-year-old from Vaughan Friday and charged him with several weapons offences in connection with the incidents.
“Today, we’re here to provide an update on two very troubling incidents that occurred over the past week, both targeting members of Toronto’s Jewish community,” Acting deputy chief Joe Matthews of detective operations told reporters Friday afternoon.
He said on April 30, three individuals were walking in the area of Bathurst Street and Lawrence Avenue West when they were shot at from a vehicle with an imitation firearm. All three victims sustained minor injuries and the suspect fled the area in a blue SUV.
“Thursday night at approximately 10:45 p.m., officers responded to a second similar incident. Three people were standing outside (Chasidei Bobov synagogue) when they were shot at from a passing vehicle, again with an imitation firearm. One person was struck, the suspects fled in a blue SUV,” Matthews said.
“These incidents are deeply concerning, particularly because the victims were identifiable members of our Jewish community.”
Matthews said evidence seized during the investigation included two gel-blaster imitation firearms. Police say they believe the suspect is linked to both the Thursday shooting and a similar April 30 incident.
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He said early Friday morning, a search was executed at a residence and inside a vehicle, leading to the young man’s arrest.
The suspect appeared in court Friday and was remanded in custody. He is scheduled to appear again on Monday. Police said they continue to investigate whether he acted alone.
“I want to acknowledge the fear and distress this has caused. We recognize that Jewish residents have been living with a heightened sense of fear due to repeated incidents targeting their community, and this only adds to that, which is completely unacceptable. While the weapons used were imitation firearms, the impacts are very real,” Matthews said.
The incidents come as Toronto police report a rise in anti-Jewish offences in recent years.
Authorities said a blue SUV was seen fleeing the scene in both shootings, a detail investigators believe connects the two incidents.
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow called the incident “a disgusting antisemitic hate crime” in a statement on X, and thanked police for what she described as a swift arrest.
“Toronto is a city where everyone must be free to practice their faith and live without fear. An attack on one community is an attack on all of us,” she said. “We all have a responsibility to stand against hate and I will always stand with Toronto’s Jewish community.”
Attacks like this one are frightening, Raphael Goldberg, a member of Chasidei Bobov synagogue, told Global News, especially when they happen at places of worship.
“It’s scary,” he said.
In a statement posted on X, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) said the incident marked the second such attack in a week and follows multiple shootings targeting synagogues in March.
“This is not normal, and it cannot become normalized,” the organization said. “Individuals were targeted outside a Jewish institution and subjected to intimidation and violence because of who they are and where they were.”
It added the cumulative impact on the Jewish community is “profound,” saying families should not have to fear attending synagogue or gathering in community spaces, and called on governments and law enforcement to ensure those responsible are identified and held accountable.
In a statement, the Ontario Liberal caucus said the incident is deeply troubling and condemned what it described as rising antisemitism, adding that no one should feel unsafe practicing their faith or gathering in their community.
Late Friday afternoon officers remained in the area speaking to witnesses and seeking video footage. Anyone with information is asked to contact police.
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