Toronto authorities announced on Friday that they have apprehended and charged an 18-year-old man in connection with a series of disturbing attacks involving replica firearms aimed at the city’s Jewish residents.
The suspect faces four counts of assault with a weapon and two counts of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose. The investigation was led by a joint effort between the Toronto Police Service’s counter-terrorism and firearms divisions.
The most recent incident occurred at approximately 10:49 p.m. on Thursday night outside the Chasidei Bobov synagogue, located in the vicinity of Bathurst Street and Highway 401 in North York. Three individuals standing in front of the building were targeted by gunfire originating from a passing vehicle. One person was struck by a projectile from a pellet gun, resulting in minor injuries.
Investigators also allege that the same 18-year-old suspect was responsible for a drive-by attack last week in a heavily Jewish neighborhood in the Bathurst and Lawrence area, south of where Thursday’s incident took place.
During that incident, visibly Jewish residents were fired upon with a gel pellet gun. While the victims sustained only minor physical injuries, the targeted nature of the attacks has prompted a firm response from law enforcement.
Acting Deputy Toronto Police Chief Joe Matthews emphasized on Friday that the use of imitation weapons does not diminish the criminal nature of these acts.
“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 unacceptable. While the weapons used were imitation firearms, the impacts are very real. These are criminal acts that we allege were meant to intimidate and cause fear," he stated.
Thursday night’s incident sparked outrage from leading advocacy groups who warned that such attacks are becoming a frequent occurrence. The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) noted last week’s attack as well as three separate shootings targeting synagogues in March.
"This is not normal, and it cannot become normalized," CIJA stated in a release. "Individuals were targeted outside a Jewish institution and subjected to intimidation and violence because of who they are and where they were. The cumulative impact on the Jewish community is profound. Families should not have to fear attending synagogue, gathering in community spaces, or simply standing outside Jewish institutions in Toronto."
Honest Reporting Canada also weighed in on the escalation, highlighting last week’s incident.
"How many more warning signs will it take? Words and statements are no longer enough. Canada is moving dangerously close to a reality that should never be tolerated: the normalization of violence targeting Jews in public life. We need urgent action, NOW!" the organization declared.
The political leadership in Ottawa also weighed in on the development. Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed his approval of the police work, stating, “Law enforcement agencies have my full support as they investigate, and as they work to bring justice for the victims and the wider Jewish community."
Thursday’s attack contributes to a growing sense of unease within the Greater Toronto Area Jewish community. Only a day prior to this assault, York Regional Police publicized the arrest of an 18-year-old male linked to separate shooting incidents at synagogues in Vaughan and Toronto on March 6, where live ammunition was fired into the structures.
Days before the March 6 shootings, gunfire struck Temple Emanu-El in North York, as members of the congregation were marking the Jewish holiday of Purim. There were no injuries but the building was damaged.
In late April, a male suspect attempted to force his way into an Orthodox synagogue in Thornhill, just north of Toronto, and assaulted a victim before fleeing the scene.
A day later, a rock was hurled at the window of Aleph Bet Judaica, a Judaica shop in the city, marking the third time this particular store has been attacked.
(Arutz Sheva-Israel National News' North American desk is keeping you updated until the start of Shabbat in New York. The time posted automatically on all Israel National News articles, however, is Israeli time.)