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Four more people have been charged in connection with two suspected hate-motivated assaults against Toronto’s Jewish community, police say.
The charges stem from alleged assaults on April 30 and May 7, when victims “visibly identifiable as Jewish” were targeted, Toronto police Chief Supt. Katherine Stephenson said at a news conference on Wednesday.
An imitation “gel blaster” firearm was used in both incidents, police said.
The accused are two Toronto men, aged 20 and 23, a 16-year-old Toronto boy and a 17-year-old Thornhill girl, police said. Two additional suspects, a male and female, believed to be youths, have yet to be identified.
All of the accused have been charged with three counts of assault with a weapon and one count of possession of a weapon. The 23-year-old and 17-year-old have also been charged with one count of mischief interfere with property.
“These incidents were not random,” Stephenson told reporters.
“Based on the evidence gathered during the investigation, we allege that members of the Jewish community were deliberately targeted. These incidents appear to have been organized and planned with more than individual involved in the co-ordination,” she added.
“We know the profound effect incidents like this have on the community. Beyond the individuals directly involved, they create fear, anxiety, and uncertainty for countless others who see themselves reflected in the victims.”
Toronto police’s counter terrorism security unit made the arrests on May 22 after carrying out search warrants, police said. The two men were scheduled to appear in court on May 22, while the two teens are scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 22.
18-year-old man charged in case in May
The charges follow an earlier arrest of a 18-year-old Vaughan man in the case. He was charged with four counts of assault with a weapon and two counts of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.
Seven suspects were allegedly involved in the first incident, while only some were involved in the second, police said.
The first incident happened on April 30 near Bathurst Street and Lawrence Avenue W., where people suffered minor injuries after a person shot a gel bead gun at them from a passing SUV, police said.
The second alleged assault happened on May 7, when three people standing in front of the Congregation Chasidei Bobov synagogue near Bathurst Street and Highway 401 were shot at with a similar imitation firearm from a passing SUV. One victim suffered minor injuries, police said.
In both incidents, the suspects fled in blue Lexus SUV, police said.
“While the weapon involved was an imitation firearm, the victims did not know that at the time. They believed they were being shot at and they experienced the fear and shock that comes with believing that someone is shooting at you,” Stephenson said.
Toronto police released this image of an imitation ‘gel blaster’ firearm seized during the arrests. (Toronto Police Service)Incidents ‘a warning sign for all Canadians’: CIJA
Josh Landau, director of government relations, Ontario, at the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), said hate and violence must be confronted.
“When Jewish Canadians cannot safely walk the streets of one of the country’s most diverse cities, it is a warning sign for all Canadians,” he said.
Landau said the community commends the police for the arrests and charges.
“But arrests alone will not solve this crisis,” he said.
“The involvement of youth in many of these attacks should serve as a wake-up call. We are witnessing the consequences of radicalization and the normalization of hate. Governments, institutions, and authorities at every level must confront the forces driving this hatred and violence before more Canadians are put at risk.”
Police said when suspected hate-motivated offences are reported, the hate crimes unit leads the investigation.
If a crime is believed to have been motivated by bias, prejudice or hate, the investigating officer may consult with the Crown. If a person is convicted of the offence, the judge will take into consideration hate as an aggravating factor when imposing a sentence.