TORONTO (AP) – Canadian authorities are looking into an incident where the United States consulate in downtown Toronto was struck by gunfire early Tuesday morning. Fortunately, no one was hurt.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police Chief Superintendent Chris Leather referred to it as a national security situation and mentioned that the national police are collaborating with Toronto police to determine the motive. Leather stated that there will be heightened security at both the U. S. and Israeli consulates, along with embassies in Ottawa.
Toronto Police Deputy Chief Frank Barredo reported that two individuals got out of a white Honda CRV SUV around 4:30 a. m. and fired several shots at the building before escaping.
“There were people inside the building. However, this building is highly secured and highly fortified and there were no injuries,” he said.
Barredo confirmed that both suspects fired weapons during the incident. He noted that while there were shell casings found and some damage outside, bullets did not go through the building.
“It is very secure. The glass and the walls are reinforced and so I don’t believe there was any penetration into the building. It’s quite possible that people in the building would not have even noticed,” he said.
The police have shared a photo of the white SUV but did not provide additional information about the suspects involved.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford labeled it “an absolutely unacceptable act of violence and intimidation aimed at our American friends and neighbors,” suggesting a potential connection to ongoing conflict in Iran.
“This is just me speaking. I believe that there are sleeper cells all over the world as we know. They are in the U. S., they are in Canada here. We have to weed these people out and hold them accountable,” Ford said.
“This is my personal opinion, and I don’t think I’m too far off with saying that. It’s a different world now that we are facing with turmoil happening everywhere.”
A State Department official, who asked to remain anonymous due to the ongoing investigation, stated there were no injuries among consulate staff, adding that they are working closely with Canadian officials on this case.
The shooting follows recent gunfire incidents targeting two synagogues in Toronto last weekend.
“This cannot stand. Toronto’s Jewish community has the right to practice their faith and culture and to live their day-to-day lives without fear, intimidation or violence,” Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow said. “As we have seen too many times, antisemitic incidents spike when international incidents rise. It is never acceptable to target the Jewish community.”
Chow indicated there was an increased police presence on Tuesday at both U. S. and Israeli consulates in Toronto.
Toronto has a significant Iranian population, leading to demonstrations outside of the U. S. consulate related to conflicts occurring in Iran; protests often take place at this location.
Associated Press reporter Matthew Lee contributed from Washington.
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