Toronto police are investigating after gunfire erupted outside the U.S. Consulate in the city’s downtown Monday morning.
An officer stationed near the Consulate at 360 University Ave. heard the shot ring out around 4:46 a.m.
In an update at the scene, Deputy Chief Frank Barredo said a white late model Honda Accord with no license plates was seen speeding away from the building. Police have since released images of the suspect vehicle.
Officers engaged in a high speed chase along Gerrard Street East and onto the Don Valley Parkway, with speeds exceeding 140 km/h, police said.
Officers stopped the chase near Don Mills Road and the DVP, as per protocol, police said.
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Barredo said air support was not available at the time.
Evidence of the shooting was located outside the Consulate building. A single shell casing was recovered and there was damage to the facade.
Police did not provide a description of the suspect. Two security personnel were inside the Consulate at the time, but no injuries were reported.
Barredo said it is too early to determine a motive.
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow spoke at the scene as well, calling the shooting a brazen attack.
She also spoke directly to the shooter, saying “we will get you, we will bring you to justice and you will be held accountable.”
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Earlier this year, the U.S. Consulate was targeted in a shooting that American authorities linked to an alleged international campaign from Iranian-backed groups against targets in Europe and North America. An Iraqi national in the U.S. is facing terrorism offences tied to the March 10 shooting.
An 18-year-old man was also arrested last month in Toronto. Sheldon Tracy-Stewart was charged with 11 counts, including discharging a firearm, illegal firearm possession and vehicle theft.
Court documents obtained by Global News also allege Tracy-Stewart was bound by a release order at the time of his arrest. He is charged with failing to comply with a release order under the Criminal Code.
The investigation also saw the death of a veteran Toronto police officer; Const. Marc Pinizzotto, a member of the Emergency Task Force, was shot at while assisting in a raid tied to the probe.
Nicholas Bennett, a 19-year-old man, was charged with first-degree murder.
The investigation into Monday’s shooting is ongoing.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police.
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