A 19-year-old man has been arrested after police say he made threats to shoot a synagogue over social media.
Durham Regional Police say that they were notified by a external law enforcement partner on Friday about messages that had been posted on an online messaging board threatening to carry out a shooting at a synagogue in Durham Region.
After an investigation, on Saturday police arrested Alexander Parfitt, 19, of Whitby, who was charged with one count of threats motivated by hate.
Police say Parfitt was held for a bail hearing. Anyone with information is asked to contact police or Crime Stoppers anonymously.
News of the arrest comes one day after an exchange of gunfire outside the Sons of Jacob Synagogue left a police officer with critical injuries and a suspect in custody with life-threatening injuries. The shooting occurred as congregation members gathered inside the synagogue to mark Yom Kippur.
Durham police say they have increased patrols around Jewish places of worship and community gathering locations across Durham Region for the Jewish High Holidays.
Whitby Mayor Elizabeth Roy said she was “deeply disturbed by news from Durham Regional Police that a man is facing charges following an investigation into threats to commit a shooting at a synagogue in Durham Region.”
“I have been briefed by Durham Regional Police and remain in direct contact with police and the leadership of Whitby’s synagogue.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.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,” Roy said.
“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.”
“I thank our police partners for their vigilance and continued work to protect our community,” she said.
