A second teen has been charged in connection with a pair of shootings at synagogues in Vaughan and Toronto earlier this year.
Police in York Region were called to the Beth Avraham Yoseph of Toronto synagogue on Clark Avenue near York Hill Boulevard in Vaughan just before midnight on March 6 after shots were fired in the direction of the front door. Two people were inside the building at the time of the shooting, but no one was injured.
A short time later, just after midnight, Toronto police responded to the Glencairn Avenue and Bathurst Street area for reports of gunshots outside the Shaarei Shomayim. No one was injured in that incident, but officers found damage to the synagogue’s front entrance.
Following a joint investigation, police arrested an 18-year-old male who is facing multiple charges, including two counts of mischief to property over $5,000 and several weapons offences.
As police continued to investigate, a second suspect was identified, and on May 27, Waterloo Regional Police arrested a 17-year-old male in Cambridge. He is facing a total of six charges, including several weapons-related offences.
Neither of the suspects can be named under the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
Police say the investigation is ongoing.
The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) and UJA Federation of Greater Toronto (UJA) said the shootings represent a “dangerous escalation,” and they called for a strong and consistent enforcement of the law.
“The nature of the charges laid in this case — including conspiracy and weapons trafficking offences — underscores the gravity of what occurred. These were not acts of vandalism or mischief. They were targeted acts of violence directed at Jewish houses of worship,” the groups said in a joint statement.
“The fact that the accused is a youth is deeply troubling. It underscores growing concerns about the radicalization of young people and the normalization of hate online and in our communities. Hate, extremism, and political violence are increasingly reaching younger audiences, with real-world consequences for public safety and community security.”