Shots fired at 2 synagogues in North York and Thornhill overnight

Police are investigating after gunfire struck two synagogues in the Greater Toronto Area overnight.

Toronto police say officers responded to reports of multiple gunshots fired at the front doors of a synagogue in North York, near Bathurst Street and Glencairn Avenue, just after 12 a.m. on Saturday.

Police later said that the shooting occurred at Shaarei Shomayim synagogue at 470 Glencairn Ave.

Toronto Police Service (TPS) said they’re dedicating additional resources to the case, including the Integrated Gun and Gang Task Force and the Hate Crime Unit, to support officers from 33 Division.

Earlier in the night, York Regional Police say officers were called to reports of shots fired at 11:49 p.m. Friday in the area of Clark Avenue and York Hill Boulevard in Thornhill.

There, investigators found evidence that gunfire had been directed toward the Beth Avraham Yosef of Toronto synagogue, at 613 Clark Ave. W.

They said at least six bullets tore through the front doors of the synagogue, which had two people inside at that time.

A dark sedan was seen in the area at the time of the shooting, police said.

No injuries have been reported in either incident.

Investigators are saying it is too early to say if the two shootings are connected.

“We are aware of the shooting in Thornhill. It will be up to the investigators to determine if they are linked or not,” Toronto police said in a statement to CP24.

Police denounce incidents

In a post on social media, Toronto police said they “recognize that incidents like this are deeply concerning for members of the Jewish community.”

“Synagogues in both Toronto and York Region have been struck by gunfire this week, and investigators are examining whether these incidents are connected. There is an increased police presence around Jewish neighbourhoods, places of worship, and community institutions as the investigation continues,” they wrote.

A command post has since been set up near Bathurst Street and Sheppard Avenue West.

York Regional Police, meanwhile, are calling the shooting at a synagogue in Thornhill “deeply troubling and completely unacceptable.”

“Earlier this week, (we) increased patrols and visible police presence across our communities, including at faith-based institutions, places of worship, community centres and public gatherings. Today and in the coming days, we are further stepping up patrols and dedicating additional resources on the ground to proactively combat crime and keep our communities safe,” they wrote.

“Nobody should feel unsafe in their own neighbourhood. Nobody should feel unsafe for who they are. York Region residents deserve better. York Regional Police is fully committed to restoring our community’s sense of safety and security, including identifying those responsible for these acts and bringing them to justice.”

A police car and extra security is now posted outside Beth Avraham Yosef of Toronto synagogue along. A command centre has also been set up at the nearby Promenade Mall in Thornhill to address public concerns.

‘Disgusting acts of antisemitism, hate and intimidation’: Chow

Mayor Olivia Chow condemned the incident in a post on social media.

“Last night, two synagogues were targeted, in North York and Thornhill. These are disgusting acts of antisemitism, hate and intimidation,” she wrote.

“Toronto’s Jewish community has the right to practice their faith without fear, intimidation or violence.”

Chow went on to say that Toronto police are increasing their presence in the area as they work to identify those responsible.

“These attacks on Jewish institutions must stop and as Mayor I will continue to support the Toronto Police with whatever resources are needed to make this happen,” she said.

‘Hateful and antisemitic act’: Del Duca

Vaughan Mayor Steven Del Duca called the shooting a “hateful and antisemitic act,” and said the incident in Thornhill is deeply troubling for members of the local Jewish community.

“I am both disgusted and angered to learn that the Beth Avraham Yosef of Toronto synagogue in our community has been hit with gunfire overnight,” he said in a statement.

Speaking to reporters outside the Thornhill synagogue Saturday morning, Del Duca said the impact on residents is significant.

“The fact that there are some people in my community who feel like they don’t belong here anymore, that they are being victimized and terrorized, is completely unacceptable,” he said.

Del Duca said police will increase their presence around synagogues in Vaughan in the coming days and that York Regional Police have deployed a mobile command post at Promenade Shopping Centre, near Bathurst and Centre streets in Thornhill.

Investigators also said a dark-coloured sedan was seen in the area at the time of that shooting.

Political leaders condemning attacks

Political leaders across the country have quickly condemned the synogogue shootings.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford said he’s “disgusted” by them.

“These cowardly acts of hate are meant to intimidate and instill fear,” Ford said in a statement.

“They are an attack on the Jewish community and on the fundamental right of every person in Canada to worship safely and freely.”

Prime Minister Mark Carney is also weighing in on the two incidents, noting that there was also a third one earlier this week at North York’s Temple Emanu-El.

“These criminal antisemitic attacks are an assault on the rights of Jewish Canadians to live and pray in safety. They are also fundamental violations of the Canadian way of life,” he wrote in a post on X.

“The federal government will use every tool available to confront antisemitic violence and hatred, and protect places of worship.’

Carney went on to say that his government has introduced legislation to “strengthen the Criminal Code, protect our communities, and combat hate.”

“Federal agencies, including the RCMP, will use every resource to support law enforcement to identify the perpetrators of these crimes and bring them to the full weight of justice,” he said.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is also denouncing the incidents.

“Appalled at the shootings targeting Shaarei Shomayim and Beth Avraham Yoseph Synagogues of Toronto,” he said.

“The Jewish Community is under attack in Canada. Government’s core responsibility is the safety of its people.”

Thornhill Member of Parliament Melissa Lantsman is calling for stronger federal action to address antisemitism and threats against faith communities.

“Enough with the ‘This is not who we are’ statements and the feigned outrage from people who seem eternally surprised,” she said.

“We called on them more than two years ago to take concrete action: enforce the law, confront foreign threats, and ensure Canadians can worship without fear.”

Israel’s ambassador to Canada ‘shocked and outraged’

Iddo Moed, Israel’s ambassador to Canada, has also made a post on social media, saying he is “shocked and outraged” by the attacks at synagogues in the GTA.

“These cowardly assaults on houses of worship are abhorrent acts of violence that strike at the heart of our shared values—safety, dignity, and freedom of religion,” he wrote in a lengthy post.

Moed went on to say that these incidents are “part of a troubling global pattern of antisemitic violence and intimidation.”

“These growing threats must be met with vigilance and determination,” he wrote, calling on authorities “act decisively to bring the perpetrators to justice and ensure the full protection of Jewish institutions across the country,” he said.

“The safety of Canada’s Jewish community must remain a national priority and a collective responsibility.”

Police investigations ongoing

Both police investigations are ongoing.

Toronto police are asking anyone with further information, specifically anyone with video footage between 11:30 p.m. on Friday, March 6 and 12:15 a.m. on Saturday, March 7 near Bathurst Street and Glencairn Avenue, to contact them at 416-808-3500 or Crime Stoppers anonymously.

They’re are also asking for the public’s help to identify any vehicles that may be involved in that incident.

Police in York Region are also appealing to anyone with information or anyone who has not yet spoken to officers to reach out to them or contact Crime Stoppers.

With files from CTV News Toronto’s John Musselman