Toronto police are investigating after two locations of Jewish-owned Kiva’s bagel bar were targeted in separate incidents Sunday morning, including one where a window was struck by gunfire.
In multiple posts to social media, police say officers were first called to the Yonge Street and St. Clair Avenue West area at around 8 a.m. after reports that a window at a Jewish-owned bakery had been struck by gunfire.
Investigators located evidence of a firearm discharge at the scene. However, no injuries were reported.
Roughly 20 minutes later, officers responded to another location of the “same Jewish owned bakery chain” near Bathurst Street and Steeles Avenue West after receiving reports of a broken window.
At that location, police say investigators found no evidence of gunfire and that no injuries were reported.
“We don’t know when the shooting occurred. Both incidents occurred sometime overnight,” police told CP24 in an email.
At this time, no suspect descriptions have been provided.
‘This is concerning’
Speaking to reporters, Duty Insp. Scott Bradbury said investigators are treating this matter as suspected hate-motivated offences.
“We understand that this is concerning for those that work and live in this area, especially members of the Jewish community, and we have all the resources available to thoroughly investigate this matter,” Bradbury said.
“Right now, we don’t know what the connection is, other than that it’s the same Jewish-owned business chain, and that it happened sometime overnight.”
He said members of the Toronto police Hate Crime Unit, Guns and Gangs Integrated Task Force and local divisional officers are canvassing the areas for evidence.
“Members of our hate crime, members of our guns and gang integrated task force, and our divisional units are here canvassing the area, so members of the public can be aware that there’s going to be an increased presence of police in the area conducting our investigation,” he said.
At a separate news conference, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow condemned the incidents.
“Any kind of hate really has no place in Toronto,” Chow said.
She added that police will continue to increase security measures around Jewish institutions across the city.
“We in Toronto will double our efforts. Toronto police through Project Resolute have been guarding synagogues and Jewish community centres and places 24/7, and we’ll see what else we could do. But anyone that is committing a crime should be arrested and punished,” Chow said.
Though the incidents occurred outside of York Region, York Regional Police shared their thoughts with everyone impacted by the incidents, saying they “understand how these events can affect people’s sense of safety and security.”
Meanwhile, Noah Shack, CEO of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs noted that Kiva’s bagel bar is a “hot spot” for members of the community.
“It’s a hot spot, particularly on a Sunday morning for families to get together, enjoy themselves, and being together with family time,” he said.
“Nothing can justify crimes being perpetrated against Canadians on Canadian soil. Period...Thankfully, no one was injured or killed in this incident. We’re grateful for that, but of course concerned about how this could continue to escalate.”
