( May 8, 2026 / JNS )
Toronto police have taken an 18-year-old into custody for allegedly committing two hate-driven assaults using a pellet gun against Jewish individuals in areas with a large Jewish population, according to the Toronto Police Service.
Ruslan Novruzov from Vaughan, Ontario, faces four charges of assault with a weapon and two counts of possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose, as reported by the department.
The young man is accused of shooting gel pellets at three “visibly identifiable” Jews who sustained minor injuries while he was driving past on April 30 in one of Canada’s largest Jewish communities.
A similar incident occurred on May 7 around 10:45 p. m., when a man shot gel pellets at three identifiable Jews outside Congregation Chasidei Bobov, which is located near Bathurst Street and Wilson Avenue-just one intersection away from the previous incident. One victim also suffered minor injuries in this case, according to police.
Congregation Chasidei Bobov in Toronto, May 8, 2026. Photo by Dave Gordon.
Following a search warrant executed at Novruzov’s residence, officers discovered and seized two “gel-blaster imitation firearms.” He was scheduled to appear in court on May 8, as noted by the department.
“This is not a prank. It was an act of intimidation meant to spread fear,” stated Vince Gasparro, a Liberal parliamentarian speaking with JNS. “It must be treated with the seriousness it deserves.”
“At a time when antisemitism is rising globally, we cannot allow this hatred to take root in our communities,” added Gasparro, whose district includes the Chassidic synagogue.
Sara Lefton, chief development officer at the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto told JNS that “these alarming antisemitic attacks are now happening rapidly and must not be allowed to continue.”
“This escalation of intimidation and extremism targets not just the Jewish community but all Canadians and could lead to much worse outcomes with potentially deadly consequences,” Lefton remarked.
“Every Canadian should be very concerned right now,” she said. “As for the Jewish community, we’ve faced threats like this before and we will persevere.”
“We will not accept a future where we need to hide our Jewish identities,” she added.
“I utterly condemn this despicable act against people simply standing outside a synagogue,” said Brad Bradford, a mayoral candidate and member of Toronto City Council speaking with JNS. “This appears to be yet another attempt to terrorize Toronto’s Jewish community.”
Congregation Chasidei Bobov in Toronto, May 8, 2026. Photo by Dave Gordon.
“Far too many antisemitic attacks have taken place in this city; the current approach isn’t keeping residents safe,” Bradford expressed. He further mentioned that Olivia Chow, mayor of Toronto needs to respond: “What is being done to stop them?”
Mike Colle, another city council member whose district includes the synagogue spoke outside its premises where five police cars were stationed.
“I am totally effing pissed off about this!” he exclaimed. “That this kind of terrorizing against the Jewish community has reached such heights calls for an end to mere talk; we need action now.”
“That’s why I’ve called for an emergency antisemitism task force here in Toronto,” made up of members from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), and local police forces,” he explained.
“Because these incidents are occurring every day; windows are smashed; people are shot at with pellets; synagogues are targeted,” Colle told JNS. “I can’t direct law enforcement but I can say we need all hands on deck from RCMP.”
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“Colle managed to get City Council’s unanimous approval for his task force proposal but stated that both OPP and RCMP refused participation,” he noted.
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“When will they recognize that this isn’t just local?” he questioned JNS. “This is organized violence funded by external forces targeting us.” It’s about time we regard it as terrorism because that’s what it truly is-I’m furious.”`;
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Source link; Toronto City Council member Michael Colle commented on May 8th during an interview about ongoing concerns regarding escalating anti-Semitic activities across Canada. The shooting represents yet another hate crime against Jews within Canada as one prominent organization reports record numbers occurring. B’nai Brith Canada’s annual audit revealed there were approximately six thousand eight hundred instances involving anti-Jewish sentiments last year-the highest number since tracking began back in nineteen eighty-two – averaging out over eighteen cases daily according data released recently showing increases compared previous years’ figures reflecting growing concerns among citizens alongside rising social unrest factors playing part overall trend influencing society today. Shortly after unveiling those findings Simon Wolle CEO B’nai Brith pointed out these troubling shifts indicate how Anti-semitism increasingly finds its way into mainstream discourse rather than merely residing on fringes once viewed before thus requiring urgent attention needed towards combating effectively systemic problems contributing toward societal divisions evolving throughout period. Talia Klein Leighton president associated group dedicated combatting Antisemitism noted conversations surrounding fears escalated due rise terrorist acts elsewhere impacting perceptions locally saying she had been approached regarding potential threats posed citing recent tragedies overseas implying ones similar might emerge here without proper preventive measures established promptly. “I don’t want even suggest maybe good fortune exists solely preventing anyone harmed fatally until now however signs clear violence already rampant within our neighborhoods existing”, she shared her thoughts revealing worries about future developments stemming lack accountability adequately addressing issues taking toll everyone involved causing increasing tensions becoming more prevalent observed currently nationwide trends illustrating severity situation”.(function(d, s, id){var js, fjs=d. get Elements By Tag Name(s)[0]; if(! d. get Element By Id(id)){js=d. create Element(s); js. id=id; js. src=”https://connect. facebook. net/en_US/sdk. js#xfbml=1&version=v2.9″; fjs. parent Node. insert Before(js, fjs);}}(document,’script’,’facebook-jssdk’)); }
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Congregation Chasidei Bobov in Toronto, May 8, 2026. Photo by Dave Gordon.
“Far too many antisemitic attacks have taken place in this city; the current approach isn’t keeping residents safe,” Bradford expressed. He further mentioned that Olivia Chow, mayor of Toronto needs to respond: “What is being done to stop them?”
Mike Colle, another city council member whose district includes the synagogue spoke outside its premises where five police cars were stationed.
“I am totally effing pissed off about this!” he exclaimed. “That this kind of terrorizing against the Jewish community has reached such heights calls for an end to mere talk; we need action now.”
“That’s why I’ve called for an emergency antisemitism task force here in Toronto,” made up of members from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), and local police forces,” he explained.
“Because these incidents are occurring every day; windows are smashed; people are shot at with pellets; synagogues are targeted,” Colle told JNS. “I can’t direct law enforcement but I can say we need all hands on deck from RCMP.”
“;
“Colle managed to get City Council’s unanimous approval for his task force proposal but stated that both OPP and RCMP refused participation,” he noted.
“;
“When will they recognize that this isn’t just local?” he questioned JNS. “This is organized violence funded by external forces targeting us.” It’s about time we regard it as terrorism because that’s what it truly is-I’m furious.”`;
“
“Source link; Toronto City Council member Michael Colle commented on May 8th during an interview about ongoing concerns regarding escalating anti-Semitic activities across Canada. The shooting represents yet another hate crime against Jews within Canada as one prominent organization reports record numbers occurring. B’nai Brith Canada’s annual audit revealed there were approximately six thousand eight hundred instances involving anti-Jewish sentiments last year-the highest number since tracking began back in nineteen eighty-two – averaging out over eighteen cases daily according data released recently showing increases compared previous years’ figures reflecting growing concerns among citizens alongside rising social unrest factors playing part overall trend influencing society today. Shortly after unveiling those findings Simon Wolle CEO B’nai Brith pointed out these troubling shifts indicate how Anti-semitism increasingly finds its way into mainstream discourse rather than merely residing on fringes once viewed before thus requiring urgent attention needed towards combating effectively systemic problems contributing toward societal divisions evolving throughout period. Talia Klein Leighton president associated group dedicated combatting Antisemitism noted conversations surrounding fears escalated due rise terrorist acts elsewhere impacting perceptions locally saying she had been approached regarding potential threats posed citing recent tragedies overseas implying ones similar might emerge here without proper preventive measures established promptly. “I don’t want even suggest maybe good fortune exists solely preventing anyone harmed fatally until now however signs clear violence already rampant within our neighborhoods existing”, she shared her thoughts revealing worries about future developments stemming lack accountability adequately addressing issues taking toll everyone involved causing increasing tensions becoming more prevalent observed currently nationwide trends illustrating severity situation”.(function(d, s, id){var js, fjs=d. get Elements By Tag Name(s)[0]; if(! d. get Element By Id(id)){js=d. create Element(s); js. id=id; js. src=”https://connect. facebook. net/en_US/sdk. js#xfbml=1&version=v2.9″; fjs. parent Node. insert Before(js, fjs);}}(document,’script’,’facebook-jssdk’)); }
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