Two Toronto area synagogues were met with gunfire in overnight shootings in Thornhill and North York.
York Regional Police said officers responded at around 11:49 p.m. Friday to reports of shots fired near Clark Avenue and York Hill Boulevard in Thornhill.
When officers arrived, they located evidence of gunfire directed at a building on Clark Avenue. No injuries were reported, but police say the building sustained some damage.
Prime Minister Mark Carney condemned two overnight shootings at synagogues in the Toronto area, that were struck by gunfire.
He said in a statement that the shootings were a “fundamental violation of the Canadian way of life.”
Carney said that federal agencies, including the RCMP, will support law enforcement in identifying those responsible and bringing them “to the full weight of justice.”
Vaughan Mayor Steven Del Duca also issued a statement Saturday morning.
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“I am both disgusted and angered to learn that the Beth Avraham Yosef of Toronto synagogue in our community has been hit with gunfire overnight,” he said.
“Thankfully, no one was injured, but I know this hateful and anti-Semitic act will affect my Jewish residents deeply.”
Del Duca added that there will be more police presence around synagogues today.
YRP said a mobile command post will be set up at Promenade Mall Saturday where officers will be available to answer questions and address concerns from the public.
Toronto police are also investigating a firearm discharge reported shortly after midnight near Bathurst Street and Glencairn Avenue.
Police say officers responded around 12:08 a.m. after reports of gunshots and later located bullet holes in the front door of a building on Glencairn Avenue.
Authorities confirmed the building is a synagogue. No injuries were reported.
Toronto city councillor Brad Bradford condemned the shooting. “I am horrified and outraged,” he wrote in a social media post, saying the synagogue had been celebrating Purim earlier in the week.
Bradford also said Toronto Police will have increased presence outside the place of worship ,”but it’s long past time for real action to build a city where that isn’t required. Where hateful acts like this are prevented, and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Toronto police and York Police are urging anyone with information, video or dash camera footage related to the shootings to contact authorities.
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