Toronto police have announced four additional arrests in connection with two hate-motivated incidents that deliberately targeted members of the Jewish community in Toronto. The attacks occurred on April 30 and May 7, 2026, and involved the use of 'gel blaster' imitation firearms.
Details of the Arrests
Chief Superintendent Kathleen Stephenson revealed during a press conference at Toronto Police Headquarters on Wednesday afternoon that two adult men, one male youth, and one female youth have been arrested and charged. Investigators are still searching for two more suspects, a male and a female.
Stephenson emphasized that the incidents appeared to be organized and planned, with multiple individuals involved in their coordination. She stated, 'These incidents create fear, anxiety, and uncertainty for countless others who see themselves reflected in the victims. People may question whether they are safe attending religious services, walking in their neighbourhoods, or openly expressing who they are. That is why we take these investigations so seriously.'
Sequence of Events
The first incident took place on April 30, when individuals who were visibly identifiable as Jewish were allegedly shot at from a passing vehicle using an imitation firearm. On May 7, police responded to a second incident outside the Congregation Chasidei Bobov synagogue on Bathurst Street. Three other Jewish community members from the synagogue were reportedly targeted in the same manner.
Following the second incident, Toronto Police investigators arrested and charged an 18-year-old man from Vaughan. The Counter Terrorism Security Unit continued to follow the evidence, executing search warrants and identifying other alleged participants, leading to the latest arrests.
Police Response
Stephenson commended the extensive investigative work of the unit members. She noted, 'While this matter remains before the courts, allegations of targeted violence and hate against any community demand a thorough and determined response. We also recognize that incidents like these can be an early warning sign of something more serious. When allegations of targeted, hate-motivated violence come to our attention, early intervention matters.'
The Toronto Police Service remains committed to thoroughly investigating any allegation of hate-motivated criminal activity, Stephenson concluded.
