Suspect Charged in Vaughan and Toronto Synagogue Shootings
The York Regional Police Firearms Investigations Team and the Hate Crime
Prevention Unit, along with the Toronto Police Service Integrated Gun and Gang
Task Force, supported by the Counter-Terrorism Security Unit (Hate Crime Unit),
have charged a suspect in connection with March shootings at synagogues in the
cities of Vaughan and Toronto.
On Friday, March 6, 2026, just before midnight, sounds of gunshots were reported
in the area of Clark Avenue West and York Hill Boulevard. When York Regional
Police officers arrived, they observed the front doors of a synagogue had been
damaged by gunfire.
Two occupants, who were inside the synagogue at the time of the shooting, were
not injured.
Just after midnight, on Saturday, March 7, 2026, Toronto Police Service officers
responded to reports of gunshots at a synagogue in the area of Bathurst Street
and Glencairn Avenue. When officers arrived, they located damage to the
synagogue’s front entrance consistent with gunfire.
No one was inside at the time of the shooting and no injuries were reported.
Following a lengthy joint forces investigation, investigators have identified
and charged a suspect in relation to both incidents.
Charged:
* 18-year-old Male, of No Fixed Address
Charges:
* Discharge Firearm into a Place x2
* Mischief to Property Over $5,000 x2
* Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm in a Motor Vehicle
* Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm
* Possess Prohibited Device
* Careless Storage of a Prohibited Device
* Occupy Motor Vehicle with a Prohibited Device
The suspect is not being named as he was 17-years-old at the time of the
offence.
The investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the York Regional Police Firearms
Investigations Team by calling 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7817. Anonymous tips can
also be made to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS, or by visiting
www.1800222tips.com [http://www.1800222tips.com/].
Crime prevention is our shared responsibility: Find up-to-date crime data in
York Region on the Community Safety Data Portal
[https://community-safety-portal-datayrp.hub.arcgis.com/?_mid_=8], or become a
partner in community safety by signing up for the Security Camera Registry
[https://www.yrp.ca/en/crime-prevention/Security-Camera-Registry.asp] today.
