19-Year-Old from Whitby Faces Charges for Threats

A 19-year-old man from Whitby has been arrested after allegedly threatening to shoot at a synagogue in the Durham Region.

The Durham Regional Police reported that their hate crime unit got a tip on Friday from another law enforcement agency about threats made on an online message board regarding a potential shooting at a synagogue.

Investigators were able to identify the individual behind the messages and executed a search warrant on Saturday at a residence in Whitby, where they took the man into custody without any issues.

Alexander Parfitt is facing charges related to making threats fueled by hate.

News of his arrest surfaced less than a day after a shooting occurred outside of a synagogue in Belleville, which left both a police officer and the suspected shooter critically injured, causing those inside to seek shelter.

Mayor ‘deeply disturbed’

Whitby’s Mayor Elizabeth Roy expressed she was “deeply disturbed” by the recent threat.

“I know this news will cause fear and anxiety for Whitby’s Jewish community. To our Jewish friends and neighbours, I want to say clearly: You are not alone. Your community stands with you always,” she stated in an announcement on the city’s website.

“Every resident must be able to gather, worship and practice their faith safely and without fear. A threat against a place of worship is a threat against the safety and fundamental freedoms of our entire community.

“There is no place in Whitby for antisemitism – or hate, intimidation or violence of any kind. We will confront it, condemn it and stand together against it.”

The Durham Regional Police mentioned that they have boosted patrols around Jewish places of worship and community gathering spots throughout the region during the Jewish high holidays.

Authorities are urging anyone with information about this incident to reach out to the hate crime unit at 1-888-579-1520, Ext. 5800. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or durhamregionalcrimestoppers. ca.