Toronto Police have announced the arrest of four additional individuals allegedly involved in a series of hate-motivated attacks targeting the city's Jewish community earlier this spring. The arrests were made by the Counter Terrorism Security Unit following incidents along the Bathurst Street corridor on April 30 and May 7, where victims were shot with Orbeez-style gel bead guns.
Details of the Arrests
The four suspects—two men, a teenage boy from Toronto, and a teenage girl from Thornhill—were taken into custody on May 22. Police are still searching for two other suspects, believed to be a male and a female youth, who have not yet been identified.
Chief Superintendent Katherine Stephenson stated during a news conference that the attacks were not random. "We allege that members of the Jewish community were deliberately targeted," she said.
Previous Arrest and Investigation
The initial arrest of 18-year-old Ruslan Novruzov of Vaughan on May 8 led to the identification of six other suspects. Novruzov faces four counts of assault with a weapon and two counts of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose. Stephenson noted that the incidents appeared organized and planned.
Impact on the Community
Stephenson emphasized the profound effect such incidents have on the community, creating fear and anxiety beyond the direct victims. "People question whether they are safe attending religious services, walking in their neighbourhood, or openly expressing who they are," she said.
Details of the Assaults
On April 30, police received reports of an assault near Bathurst Street and Lawrence Avenue West, where visibly Jewish individuals were targeted by someone in a blue Lexus SUV firing an imitation firearm. The victims suffered minor injuries. On May 7, near Bathurst Street and Highway 401, three people outside the Congregation Chasidei Bobov synagogue were shot at from a vehicle. The suspects fled in the same type of vehicle.
Stephenson noted that while the weapon was an imitation firearm, victims believed they were being shot at, experiencing genuine fear and shock.
Charges Filed
Luka Chokheli, 20, Alishahin Isayev, 23, a 16-year-old boy, and a 17-year-old girl each face three counts of assault with a weapon and one count of possession of a weapon. Isayev and the female youth are also charged with mischief interfere with property.
No Link to International Terror Plot
Stephenson confirmed that there is no connection between these arrests and the recent U.S. arrest of Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al-Saadi, an alleged Hezbollah commander plotting attacks in North America and Europe. She stated there is no direct threat to the Jewish community at this time.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Toronto Police at 416-808-3505 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
