CP24’s Courtney Heels has the latest on the investigation into reported gun shots towards the Temple Emanu-El in North York.
Toronto police are investigating after a synagogue in North York was struck by gunfire late Monday night.
Officers were called to Temple Emanu-El, which is just south of Bayview Avenue and Highway 401, for reports of gunshots being fired.
No injuries were reported, but when police arrived at the scene they said they located damage to the building.
No suspect description is available at this time.
In an email to CTV News, Toronto police said that its Hate Crime Unit is investigating. Police are expected to provide an update on the shooting at 2:30 p.m.
CTVNewsToronto.ca and CP24.com will stream the news conference live online and on the CTV News and CP24 apps.
‘It is devastating’
Speaking to reporters at the scene, Rabbi Debra Landsberg said members of the synagogue were gathered Monday night to mark the Jewish holiday Purim.
“The congregation had gone home and we heard a series of gunshots, which sounded almost like fireworks, but this was not a firework holiday,” Landsberg explained. Some members of the synagogue were still inside the temple when the shots were fired, she said.
Landsberg said she is “a bit shaken up” by the shooting and, in a way, feels like the incident has rocked the synagogue’s longstanding place in the neighbourhood.
“It is devastating that there are those in this society that want to shatter what we have here.”
Landsberg said Temple Emanu-El has never been targeted like it was Monday night, noting that that Kehillat Shaarei Torah, another synagogue nearby, has been vandalized multiple times.
Premier Ford, Mayor Chow condemn attack
Ontario Premier Doug Ford reacted to the shooting, calling it a “vile and targeted act of antisemitism.”
“We will not tolerate hate, intimidation or violence against any community. We stand firmly with our Jewish neighbours and will always defend their right to gather, worship and live openly and safely in Ontario,” he said in a tweet published Tuesday.
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow said police will increase their presence in the area to keep the community and the synagogue’s congregation safe.
“Toronto’s Jewish community has the right to practice their faith without fear, intimidation or violence,” she said.
The overnight shooting at Temple Emanu-El Synagogue in North York is an unacceptable act of antisemitism and intimidation.
We will not tolerate antisemitic hate in our city. Toronto Police are investigating and will increase their presence in the area to keep the community and…
— Mayor Olivia Chow 🇨🇦 (@MayorOliviaChow) March 3, 2026
Correction
A previous version of this story stated that Kehillat Shaarei Torah, another synagogue in the area, was also vandalized. Officials tell CP24 that the damage was from a previous incident which has not yet been repaired.