Canada: Shooting at US Consulate in Toronto for the second time this year
- Police search for a suspected vehicle... no injuries
Canadian police have launched an investigation into a shooting incident targeting the US Consulate in downtown Toronto, the second such attack since the beginning of the year, while continuing their search for a vehicle suspected of being involved.
Toronto Police stated that officers heard gunshots in the vicinity of the consulate before discovering evidence confirming that the building had been shot at.
Deputy Police Chief Frank Barredo explained that a white vehicle without license plates was seen speeding away from the scene. He noted that police pursued the vehicle briefly before suspending the chase to ensure public safety due to its high speed.
Authorities have not yet been able to determine the number of individuals inside the vehicle, and Barredo emphasized that it is too early to ascertain the motives behind the incident or whether the consulate was the intended target.
Barredo affirmed that police are treating the incident with the utmost seriousness, pledging to pursue those involved and bring them to justice.
Police announced the discovery of a single bullet casing near the consulate building. While the building sustained damage, no injuries were reported.
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) quoted a US Embassy spokesperson, who requested anonymity, stating that at least one bullet struck the consulate building, confirming that no staff members or individuals inside were injured.
On his part, Ontario Premier Doug Ford condemned the incident, expressing outrage over the recent surge in shootings and acts of vandalism in Toronto, and calling for those responsible to face the maximum legal penalties.
This incident comes more than four months after the US Consulate was shot at on March 10, an attack that also resulted in no injuries but was classified by Canadian police at the time as a national security matter.
Authorities subsequently arrested several individuals linked to that incident as part of broader investigations into a series of shootings in the city, with police believing that young men had been hired to carry out crimes involving firearms.
