Toronto police have arrested three men and its hate crime unit is investigating after threats were directed towards a Jewish high school in the North York district of the city.
CityNews Toronto reported on Thursday that authorities were called to the Community Hebrew Academy of Toronto (CHAT) just after 12:30 p.m. after reports were circulating online regarding threats.
Toronto police said three males were at the school and were told by security to leave the property. A short time later, threats were allegedly made “against the Jewish community” and directed toward a group of students at a nearby plaza.
Officers were able to track the three men down and arrested them. The hate crime unit is now looking into the incident, according to CityNews.
Head of school Jonathan Levy said CHAT never went into lockdown and classes continued. He noted that the school will remain open on Friday with enhanced security measures in place.
A spokesperson for the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto made clear that online reports of attempted stabbings and violent acts are inaccurate.
“Police informed us that no one has been injured and no attempted stabbing has taken place. Verbal threats were made, and police are now on the scene, including Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw,” the spokesperson wrote, according to CityNews. “An investigation of the involved parties is currently underway, with possible charges pending.”
“Prior to this incident, we have been meeting and speaking throughout the day with law enforcement in Toronto and York Region about reports of Hamas’ call for a ‘day of mobilization’ around the world,” the
“Our commitment to you is clear: we are directly conveying our community’s concerns and expectations to the police. And we are sharing the information and guidance we receive from police with our entire community.”