Toronto police are investigating after a gunman opened fire on the U.S. Consulate in the city during the early hours of Monday morning — marking the second time this year the building has been targeted. While no one was hurt, a single shell casing was discovered at the scene and the front of the building sustained visible damage.
Toronto Deputy Chief Frank Barredo told reporters that officers gave chase to the suspect, leading to a pursuit that stretched on for a full hour. Despite their efforts, no one was taken into custody. Barredo made clear the investigation would not stop there.
“We will approach this investigation with great seriousness,” Barredo said during a news conference. “We will bring the people responsible for this to justice.”
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow described the attack as brazen and issued a direct warning to whoever was responsible. “I want to say to the person or persons responsible, we will get you,” Chow said.
The consulate was first targeted on March 10, when two suspects allegedly unleashed multiple rounds at the building before fleeing in a stolen vehicle. Last month, authorities arrested Sheldon Tracy-Stewart, 18, and Zara Jabbi, 19, charging both with multiple offenses connected to that March incident. Those charges have not yet been tested in court.
A police presence has been maintained at the consulate since the first shooting. Barredo noted that at the time of Monday’s attack, a marked police cruiser with its lights activated was stationed outside and two security personnel were inside the building.
In June, Toronto police stated they believed several shootings — including the March consulate attack — may be connected to what they described as “multilayered” gun-for-hire networks that have also been linked to attacks on synagogues throughout the city.
Adding to concerns, two well-known Jewish-owned bakeries were struck by gunfire over the weekend. Barredo said investigators have not ruled out a connection between those incidents and Monday’s consulate shooting.
“Investigators will follow the evidence to where it leads,” he said.
