A 17-year-old is facing multiple charges linked to shootings at two synagogues in Toronto and Vaughan that occurred earlier in March, according to police.
This individual is the second person charged in connection with these incidents. An 18-year-old man was arrested and charged earlier this month.
The teen, who hails from Waterloo, faces two counts of reckless discharge of a firearm, two counts of conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, and two counts of weapons trafficking, as stated in a news release from York Regional Police on Friday.
He was taken into custody with assistance from Waterloo police, the release mentioned.
On March 6, just before midnight, gunshots were reported near Clark Avenue W. and York Hill Boulevard.
When officers arrived, they found that the front doors of the Beth Avraham Yoseph of Toronto synagogue had been damaged by gunfire. Fortunately, two people inside were unharmed.
The following day, shortly after midnight, more gunshots were heard near Bathurst Street and Glencairn Avenue.
Upon arrival at Shaarei Shomayim synagogue, Toronto police discovered damage to the front entrance from gunfire. There was no one present at that time and no injuries occurred.
In a statement released on Friday, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs along with the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto expressed gratitude toward law enforcement for their investigation.
“The fact that the accused is a youth is deeply troubling. It underscores growing concerns about the radicalization of young people and the normalization of hate online and in our communities,” their statement read.
“Multiple shootings targeting synagogues represent a dangerous escalation, not only for the Jewish community but for the broader safety and social cohesion of our country.”
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