Credited from: ALJAZEERA
Police in Toronto are investigating after a shot was fired outside the US consulate early Monday morning, marking the second such incident this year. Reports indicate that the shooting occurred around 4:45 AM local time, with no injuries reported, although damage to the consulate's facade was noted and a shell casing was recovered at the scene, according to BBC and Reuters.
The police were alerted to the sound of a gunshot by an officer stationed outside the consulate, who then observed a white sedan fleeing the scene. A brief pursuit was initiated but was abandoned due to safety concerns, as reported by Al Jazeera and Reuters.
This shooting follows a similar incident on March 10, where multiple shots were fired at the same location. Toronto police have hinted at a potential connection between these attacks and a surge in anti-Jewish violence in the area, including targeted shootings at synagogues. Concerns also arose as investigations revealed that local youths might be recruited for these violent acts via encrypted messaging apps, according to BBC and Al Jazeera.
Officials from the US Department of State stated they are collaborating closely with Canadian authorities on the investigation. Ontario Premier Doug Ford condemned the act, expressing his disgust at both the shooting and related vandalism in the city, urging that all responsible parties be apprehended and prosecuted to the fullest extent, as noted by Reuters and Al Jazeera.