Shots fired at Toronto Jewish elementary school for third time this year, Toronto police say.
"Early this morning, just after 2:30 a.m., we received reports of a shooting at the school," Superintendent Paul McIntyre told reporters outside the school Friday afternoon.
Screenshot_20241220-123118.png
"Officers from Division 32 arrived on scene shortly after. They found multiple bullet holes in the front of the school."
He said the school was empty at the time of the shooting and that no injuries had been reported to police in connection with the incident. McIntyre said six shots were fired into the school by the perpetrators.
"A vehicle pulled up. "Someone got out of the vehicle, fired shots into the building and left," he said.
This is the third time this year that people have shot at the girls' school, which has about 250 students.
In October, on Yom Kippur, shots were fired from a vehicle on Chesswood Drive, hitting a window, police said. Story continues below
Days later, police announced the arrest of a 20-year-old man and a 17-year-old boy in connection with the incident.
The daily email you need for top stories from Toronto. This incident closely followed another attack in May, in which two suspects opened fire on the school around 5 a.m. Saturday.
Current Trend
A 30-year mortgage with no rate hikes: Can the American model work in Canada? Will Canada's border plan end Trump's tariffs? Republicans 'don't know'
"I can say that with the May shooting, we are making great progress in our investigation,"
McIntyre said. "During the October shooting, we arrested two people who we believe were responsible for the shooting. We located the weapon that we believe was responsible for that shooting."
Screenshot_20241220-123054.png
He said the two people arrested in connection with the October shooting remain in custody.
"It's too early to say if last night's shooting is related to the previous two," McIntyre said. "The investigation is ongoing and we are considering all possible avenues."
A local Jewish community safety group said students were welcomed into the school despite last night's shooting. "As we assess the implications of these recent incidents for the safety of our community, we are keeping Jewish institutions in the Greater Toronto Area informed of the situation and the critical need for vigilance," said an update from the Jewish Safety Network, a group. . launched by the United Jewish Appeal of Greater Toronto in response to a reported increase in anti-Semitism since the beginning of the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
In a statement, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow said she was outraged by the incident and had contacted police about the latest shooting at the girls' school.
Story continues below
"Enough is enough. "Anti-Semitism and anti-Semitic attacks have no place in Toronto," Chow said.
"The recent shooting at Bais Chaya Mushka Elementary School is unacceptable. Once again, students, families and neighbors are becoming aware of safety issues.
[attachment deleted by admin]