Toronto Police took an 18-year-old man into custody early on May 8, just hours after three men leaving a synagogue were targeted in a drive-by shooting involving a replica firearm. One individual sustained minor injuries during this event.
A week earlier, on April 30, police reported that three individuals identified as “visibly identifiable members of the Jewish community” walking near Bathurst Street and Lawrence Avenue were also shot at with a similar weapon, resulting in minor injuries.
In the latest incident, on May 7 at approximately 10:45 p. m., three men exiting evening prayers at the Chasidei Bobov Synagogue on Bathurst Street, close to Wilson Avenue, became victims. The suspects escaped in a blue Lexus SUV, according to police reports.
Ruslan Novruzov from Vaughan faces charges related to both occurrences and is up against four counts of assault with a weapon along with two counts of possessing a weapon for dangerous purposes. Police have also confiscated two gel-blaster imitation firearms. These incidents are being treated as suspected hate-motivated crimes, as stated by a news release from Toronto Police.
During a press conference outside the synagogue, acting deputy police chief Joe Matthews addressed concerns within the Jewish community.
“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,” he said.
“These are criminal acts that we allege were meant to intimidate and cause fear.”
Earlier in the day, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow visited the synagogue and spoke with its leaders. She didn’t take questions from the media but issued a statement on social media condemning the attack.
“The violent attack at Congregation Chasedei Bobov was a disgusting antisemitic hate crime. I want to thank Toronto Police for making a swift arrest. I also want to thank the congregation for welcoming me today and giving me the space to listen,” she posted on X.
“We all have a responsibility to stand against hate and I will always stand with Toronto’s Jewish community.”
Other politicians from both provincial and municipal levels expressed their concerns during a press conference outside the synagogue after news of the arrest broke.
“We are under attack like never before and antisemitism, a global virus that has metastasized, finds itself right here in Bathurst Street,” remarked Ontario Solicitor General Michael Kerzner. “What we saw here last night at one of Canada’s most revered synagogues is unacceptable.”
Kerzner urged people from other faiths to visibly support the Jewish community during Shabbat: “Come out to a synagogue or congregation in our city and stand outside that congregation in solidarity. Stand up and raise your voices,” he stated.
Deputy Mayor Mike Colle along with city councillors James Pasternak and Rachel Chernos Lin-who represent areas where synagogues and schools have been attacked-expressed that Toronto’s police force needs assistance from both provincial police and RCMP.
“We need more than just the Toronto police. They did an excellent job making arrests but it’s about time for provincial and federal governments to step up alongside us against this viral terror attacking Toronto’s Jewish community,” Colle mentioned. “We should be able to walk freely along Bathurst Street; currently we can’t-the Jewish community can’t either. Something is dramatically wrong-it’s more than just this one arrest.”
Pasternak highlighted weekly anti-Israel protests occurring at Bathurst Street and Sheppard Avenue over two years as contributing factors behind such hatred: “It violates many provisions of the Criminal Code; as long as it continues we’ll face issues across our city,” he added. “Also note it wouldn’t be tolerated in any other minority neighborhood.”
The drive-by shootings mark another chapter in ongoing assaults targeting Jewish individuals and institutions across Toronto over recent months. In March alone shots were fired at three separate synagogues located within Toronto as well as York Region. Last week authorities announced they arrested another suspect who was 17 when involved in two prior incidents; additionally there’s been an arrest made regarding gunfire directed at an April incident involving a Jewish-owned restaurant based out of Brampton.
A couple weeks back there was an assault reported where an individual accompanying his son towards their place of worship faced violence outside Sephardic Kehila Centre while simultaneously rocks smashed through windows belonging nearby Judaica store around where those pellet-gun shootings occurred earlier too.
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“The community is shaken; they’re angry,” Sara Lefton explained during remarks made outside Bobov synagogue shortly before word came forth regarding detainment made by local law enforcement officials.” We’re proud members yet intimidation persists along harassment aimed directly toward us…it feels terrifying seeing rapid escalation unfold so quickly-shootings happening now even targeting innocent people.”
“We’re grateful for some movement regarding funding dedicated toward protecting our faith-based communities,” Lefton noted further commenting upon improvements shown throughout spring economic statements highlighting federal government’s increased support geared towards security initiatives beneficial therein.”
“Appreciation extends toward legislative adjustments recently passed however deep-rooted issues linger unresolved thus calling forth needed guidance moving ahead,” she concluded accordingly.”
Prime Minister Mark Carney alongside Ontario Premier Doug Ford echoed sentiments expressed via social media channels praising actions taken by law enforcement while denouncing antisemitism connected back towards these attacks themselves.·
“I am disgusted by targeted antisemitic attacks occurring within North York over past few days inclusive last night’s ordeal directly occurring right outside place worship itself. Such behavior won’t be accepted ; it pleases me greatly knowing officers swiftly acted resulting apprehending potential assailant present. Full accountability must rest upon shoulders responsible parties,” asserted premier concerned overall towards rising tide observed lately.”Source link
