Listen to this article
Estimated 3 minutes
The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.
Toronto police say multiple investigations into shootings around the Toronto area, including incidents at synagogues and the U.S. Consulate, have resulted in three arrests, and reveal a pattern of young people being hired to perpetrate crimes in the city.
Chief Myron Demkiw and Chief Supt. Joe Matthews spoke to members of the media at a news conference Tuesday morning, less than a week after police carried out search warrants related to multiple shootings across the city.
Demkiw said the investigators recovered two firearms in the raids: a nine-millimetre handgun believed to be connected to at least six shooting incidents across the city, and a 45-calibre firearm believed to be connected to at least 21 others, he said.
Three recent arrests, and the search for one suspect, all involve young men police suspect are paid to commit targeted crimes, Demkiw said.
The arrests include the alleged killer of a Toronto police officer who was shot during a raid Thursday, police said.
Nicholas Bennett, who was arrested on Thursday and will face charges for the murder of Const. Marc Pinizzotto, was also allegedly part of a shooting at a jiu-jitsu studio near Islington Avenue and Lake Shore Boulevard on March 26, police said. Jayon Burgher, 18, of Barrie, was also arrested by Halton police on April 15 for his alleged connection to the shooting.
Both face several charges for the incident.
The investigations also resulted in the previously announced arrest of Sheldon Tracy-Stewart, who was allegedly involved in a shooting at the U.S. Consulate on March 10.
No one was injured in the consulate shooting in March, but RCMP called it a “national security incident” at the time.
Zara Jabbi, 19, is wanted for his alleged connection to the consulate shooting. Police had said last week he was an outstanding suspect in the broader investigations that led to Thursday’s search warrants.
The incident at the U.S. Consulate in Toronto has been linked to a recent FBI terrorism arrest, according to an April 2026 U.S. Department of Justice criminal complaint.
WATCH | Consulate shooting arrest made after Toronto officer fatally shot:
U.S. consulate shooting suspect arrested after Toronto officer’s death | Hanomansing Tonight
Toronto police have arrested a suspect accused of firing at the U.S. consulate earlier this year. The arrest comes after a Toronto police officer, Const. Marc Pinizzotto, was killed Thursday while executing a search warrant linked to the investigation.
Last month, the FBI arrested Iraqi-Irani Mohammad Al-Saadi, a senior member of a U.S.-designated terrorist organization, Kata’ib Hizballah, and the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, according to a DOJ news release, dated May 15.
He is allegedly tied to nearly 20 attacks throughout Europe and the U.S., as well as two attacks in Canada, according to the same news release. One of those attacks includes the consulate shooting this spring.
Toronto police said last week they had not made a connection between the consulate shooting and Al-Saadi’s arrest, and they could not comment on another agency’s investigation.