2 GTA synagogues hit by gunfire overnight; police ramp up presence

No injuries were reported, but bullets damaged building exteriors, prompting increased patrols at faith sites amid rising antisemitism concerns.

Toronto police responded shortly after midnight to Shaarei Shomayim synagogue near Glencairn Avenue and Bathurst Street in North York, where officers found bullet holes in the front doors.

York Regional Police arrived just before midnight at the Beth Avraham Yoseph of Toronto synagogue on Clark Avenue in Thornhill, noting gunfire damage from suspects in a dark sedan; two people were inside but unharmed, according to Constable Lisa Moskaluk, as quoted by the CBC News.

A command post was set up at Promenade Mall in Thornhill for tips. Deputy Chief Kevin McCloskey called the acts “despicable” hate crimes, stating, “Hate and bigotry have no place in York Region; they have no place in Ontario, and they have no place in Canada,” per CBC reporting.

Vaughan Mayor Steven Del Duca decried the “hateful and anti-Semitic act", warning on ​X that “mere words ceased to be sufficient a long time ago"​.

“Too much inaction and repeated weak responses from too many leaders have permitted this behaviour to become normalised," Duca said, adding politicians will likely denounce the incident but not take action.

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow labelled it “disgusting antisemitism", affirming, “Toronto’s Jewish community has the right to practise their faith without fear, intimidation or violence.”

These follow a March 2 shooting at Temple Emanu-El during Purim, where 20 shots hit the building. Heightened security reflects Middle East tensions, including the Iran conflict.