Toronto police say a 35-year-old Brampton man has been arrested in connection with a shooting at a Jewish-owned restaurant in North York late last week, an incident that heightened fears about targeted violence in the city.
The arrest comes as investigators point to a pattern of repeated attacks on the same business and broader concerns about antisemitic violence, with police emphasizing that heightened patrols played a key role in quickly identifying a suspect.
Officers were originally called to the Avenue Road and Brooke Avenue area at around 1:28 a.m. on April 3 after reports of gunshots.
Police say a suspect fired multiple rounds at the restaurant before fleeing the scene in a “dark-coloured SUV.”
No injuries were reported.
Surveillance video obtained by CTV News Toronto at the time appears to show a lone suspect approaching the area before opening fire from outside the business and fleeing.
The gunfire, as many as 14 shots, shattered the front windows and sent bullets into the interior, including toward a doorway leading into the kitchen.
Arrest made days after shooting
In a media release issued Wednesday, officials say investigators with the Integrated Gun and Gang Task Force, supported by the Hate Crime Unit and Counter Terrorism Security Unit, launched a probe into the incident.
On April 5, officers executed a search warrant in Brampton, in the area of Bovaird Drive East and Torbram Road.
As a result, 35-year-old Mohamed Mahdi, of Brampton, has been charged with multiple firearm-related offences, including discharging a restricted or prohibited firearm and possession of a loaded prohibited firearm.
He was scheduled to appear in court on April 6.
Police point to targeted nature
Police say the business had been targeted before, with another location linked to the same owner struck by gunfire last month, a location near Dufferin Street and Steeles Avenue.
“This an alarming incident involving the discharge of a firearm at a Jewish owned business in our city. The second time this particular owner has been targeted,” said Supt. Ryan Forde.
Chief Myron Demkiw said the incident had a broader impact beyond physical damage.
“While there were no reported injuries, this kind of attack leaves a real impact on people’s sense of security, and in this case, particularly within Toronto’s Jewish community,” he said.
The shooting also occurred during Passover, a significant holiday in the Jewish calendar.
Enhanced policing credited for quick arrest
Police say the suspect was identified quickly due in part to increased patrols in Jewish neighbourhoods.
“One of the reasons our officers were able to identify the suspect quickly is because of our enhanced deployment in the area, both overt and covert,” Demkiw said.
“Covert assets saw the suspect fleeing and gathered critical information that led to the arrest of the suspect.”
Forde added that officers were already nearby as part of those deployments.
“They responded immediately and were able to gather critical information, including the vehicle description and license plate,” he said.
Investigators also canvassed for surveillance video and collected evidence that helped identify the suspect.
“This is a clear example of how targeted deployments and proactive policing are making a difference,” Forde said.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact police.
Correction
A previous version of this article included the incorrect age of the suspect which was provided by Toronto police.
