Following an early morning shooting at the U.S. Consulate in Toronto on Monday, police are actively investigating what marked the second shooting at this location in 2023. No injuries were reported, but the building’s facade suffered damage, and a single shell casing was recovered from the scene.
Toronto Deputy Police Chief Frank Barredo announced that an intense one-hour high-speed chase ensued after the incident. However, no arrests have been made so far. He emphasized the commitment to apprehending those responsible, stating, “We will approach this investigation with great seriousness. We will bring the people responsible for this to justice.” Barredo expressed these intentions at a news conference, where he assured the public of their dedication to the case.
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow criticized the shooting, calling it a “brazen attack.” She assured the public of a dedicated effort to catch the perpetrators, stating, “I want to say to the person or persons responsible, we will get you.”
This assault occurred despite increased security measures following a similar incident on March 10, when two suspects reportedly attacked the Consulate. They allegedly fired multiple shots before fleeing in a stolen vehicle. In response to that attack, Sheldon Tracy-Stewart, 18, and Zara Jabbi, 19, were arrested and charged with several offenses. These charges remain untested in court.
Since the previous attack, the consulate has had a police presence on site. At the time of this latest shooting, a police cruiser was stationed outside with its lights activated, and two security personnel were present inside the building.
Authorities are currently exploring potential motives for both attacks and possible connections to other incidents. In June, Toronto police suggested that these shootings might be linked to complex gun-for-hire networks that have also targeted synagogues. Over the weekend, gunfire struck two popular Jewish-owned bakeries.
Deputy Chief Barredo highlighted their ongoing investigation, stating, “Investigators will follow the evidence to where it leads,” as they explore connections between the incidents.