Victoria police are seeking public help to identify a suspect as officers continue their investigation into the defacement of a downtown synagogue.
The exterior of Congregation Emanu-El, the oldest synagogue in western Canada, was recently vandalized with antisemitic graffiti, and now police have released a photo of a suspect captured between 5 and 5:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 2.
The building on Blanshard Street was vandalized early that morning, and subsequent images posted online showed the graffiti included slurs and threats directed at the Jewish community. This prompted Victoria-Swan Lake MLA Nina Krieger to take to social media to condemn the incident as a hate crime.
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A screenshot shows antisemitic graffiti scrawled between the front doors of the Congregation Emanu-el in Victoria, western Canada’s oldest synagogue. Aug. 3, 2025. (B’nai Brith Canada)
“Antisemitism has no place in British Columbia,” Krieger wrote.
“Hate vandalism, speech and intimidation are not protected expressions — they are crimes and will be treated as such. The Province of B.C. stands with our Jewish community, and with all people vulnerable to hate and violence.”
Premier David Eby called what happened a “disgusting act of hate,” adding in a post on X, “Antisemitism has no place in our communities – not now, not ever. The Jewish community and police have our full support as they investigate…”
VicPD responded to the synagogue in the early morning hours Aug. 2, when officers “documented the graffiti and collected evidence,” reads a news release.
Officers then launched their mischief investigation.
“City of Victoria crews promptly removed the graffiti, and the file remains under active investigation,” the Wednesday police update reads.
Anyone who can identify the person in the photo shared by VicPD, or who witnessed the incident or has any other information that would help investigators, is asked to call the E-Comm non-emergency line at 250-995-7654, ext. 1, file #25-29663.
The police department says it’s committed to ensuring public safety and security, adding that it appreciates any information that may help close the case.
Congregation Emanu-El was officially formed in 1862, according to 160Emanuel.ca. “We are also the stewards of a remarkable, 160-year-old heritage Sanctuary, whose walls are infused with generations of prayer and joy and life. Today, Emanu-El is a progressive egalitarian congregation that supports and celebrates diversity.”
Krieger pointed to VictimLinkBC, a toll-free, confidential, multilingual service available 24/7 to those affected by crimes and trauma related to hate.
Antisemitism has no place in our communities – not now, not ever.
The Jewish community and police have our full support as they investigate this disgusting act of hate. https://t.co/ciTFid9fTs
— David Eby (@Dave_Eby) August 4, 2025