{"id":522970,"date":"2026-03-08T17:57:09","date_gmt":"2026-03-08T17:57:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/522970\/"},"modified":"2026-03-08T17:57:09","modified_gmt":"2026-03-08T17:57:09","slug":"police-promise-relentless-probe-into-gta-synagogue-shooting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/522970\/","title":{"rendered":"Police promise relentless probe into GTA synagogue shooting"},"content":{"rendered":"

Community leaders are pushing for concrete action after 3 synagogues were shot at. CP24\u2019s Melissa Duggan has the latest. <\/p>\n

Police and political leaders gathered outside a North York synagogue Sunday morning, vowing a \u201crelentless\u201d investigation and stronger protections for Jewish communities after gunfire struck two GTA locations this weekend.<\/p>\n

The update came just over 24 hours after bullets tore through the front doors of Shaarei Shomayim synagogue near Bathurst Street and Glencairn Avenue. <\/p>\n

The incident was one of two synagogue shootings in the Greater Toronto Area within about an hour late Friday night and early Saturday morning, heightening fears in the Jewish community and prompting increased police patrols.<\/p>\n

Police vow \u2018relentless\u2019 investigation<\/p>\n

Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw said investigators are pursuing every lead and dedicating significant resources to the case.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are going to be relentless and leave no stone unturned, and every resource necessary will be brought,\u201d he said during Sunday\u2019s conference.<\/p>\n

\"\"DEMKIW Toronto police Chief Myron Demkiw speaks to reporters on Sunday March. 8 2026 (CP24 photo). <\/p>\n

\u201cThis synagogue, as we know, was shot at this weekend, and we\u2019ve seen other similar firearms discharges targeting the Jewish community recently and in the past years. This is completely appalling, and we are treating this with the utmost seriousness.\u201d<\/p>\n

Demkiw said investigators will follow the evidence wherever it leads while maintaining a visible police presence around Jewish institutions.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve been very clear about the antisemitic nature and the hateful nature of this act, and we will not stand for it, and we will not tolerate it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

CP24 was allowed inside the synagogue shortly after the news conference, in it, visible bullet hold could seen in walls, doors and windows. <\/p>\n

\"\"synagogue <\/p>\n

Police are asking anyone with information or video footage to come forward.<\/p>\n

He also acknowledged the impact the incident has had on the community.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe understand the fear and anger this creates in Toronto\u2019s Jewish communities. We will continue to take action. We have increased patrols and visits throughout the community, including here at this synagogue, that presence will continue,\u201d he noted.<\/p>\n

\"\"tps Police are investigating after gunfire was reported overnight at a Jewish Synagogue on March 7, 2026 (CP24 photo). Federal minister condemns violence<\/p>\n

Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree also condemned the shooting, calling it part of a troubling rise in antisemitic violence.<\/p>\n

\u201cI condemn this in the strongest possible terms. This is unacceptable,\u201d he said. \u201cThe forms of antisemitism we see that\u2019s turning into violence is not the Canadian way. We will not tolerate this, and this has to stop.\u201d<\/p>\n

Anandasangaree said the federal government will continue working with police and other levels of government to address hate crimes.<\/p>\n

‘This has to stop’: federal public safety minister on synagogue shootings Community leaders, government officials and Toronto police speak out against the shootings targeting synagogues in the Greater Toronto Area. <\/p>\n

\u201cEvery Jewish Canadian has a right to live in this country free of discrimination, free of antisemitism,\u201d he said. \u201cWhen they attack a synagogue, they attack Canada.\u201d<\/p>\n

Thornhill shooting also under investigation<\/p>\n

The North York incident came hours after gunfire struck another synagogue in Thornhill.<\/p>\n

York Regional Police Deputy Chief Kevin McCloskey said investigators are still working to determine whether the two incidents are connected.<\/p>\n

\"\"YRP Police investigating overnight shooting in Thornhill; building struck by gunfire (CP24 photo) <\/p>\n

\u201cAt this point in time, no, there\u2019s no evidence to suggest definitively that these events are related or perpetrated by the same people,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Police say at least six bullets struck the front doors of Beth Avraham Yosef of Toronto synagogue in Thornhill late Friday night. <\/p>\n

Two people were inside at the time, but no injuries were reported.<\/p>\n

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow<\/p>\n

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow was not in attendance at Sunday\u2019s briefing.<\/p>\n

However, in a statement issued Saturday, she also condemned the shootings as \u201cdisgusting acts of antisemitism, hate and intimidation,\u201d adding that Toronto\u2019s Jewish community has the right to practice their faith \u201cwithout fear, intimidation or violence.\u201d<\/p>\n

Both investigations remain ongoing.<\/p>\n

Once again, a synagogue in our city has been targeted. Shot at in the middle of the night.<\/p>\n

This is a violent act of intimidation \u2014 and part of a pattern of emboldened antisemitism that has no place in Toronto. It must be stopped.<\/p>\n

Today, @TPSMyronDemkiw<\/a> and I met to discuss the\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/D2CmlQCrUM<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Mayor Olivia Chow \ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udde6 (@MayorOliviaChow) March 8, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n