Hate Crime Unit busts alleged second gunman in synagogue shootings

Both accused were under 18 at the time of the shootings in Vaughan and Toronto, so they can't be identified under the Youth Criminal justice Act

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Published May 29, 2026  •  Last updated 2 hours ago  •  2 minute read

Israel’s Ambassador to Canada Iddo Moed looks at bullet holes fired at the Beth Avraham Yoseph of Toronto Synagogue in Vaughan, Ont., on Thursday, March 12, 2026. Photo by Peter J Thompson /Postmedia Network

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A 17-year-old Waterloo boy has been arrested by the Hate Crime Unit for a series of shootings at synagogues in Toronto and Vaughan in March.

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Toronto Police say Integrated Gun and Gang Task Force officers, supported by the Counter-Terrorism Security Unit (Hate Crime Unit), along with the York Regional Police Firearms Investigations Team and their Hate Crime Prevention Unit, made the arrest Wednesday.

The Jewish places of worship were terrorized in the pair of shooting incidents.

Three weeks ago, investigators arrested an 18-year-old man and hit him with a slew of charges in connection to the alleged hate crimes.

Now, following a lengthy, joint-forces investigation, a second suspect was identified in relation to both incidents.

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On Wednesday, a search warrant was executed at a residence in Cambridge, with the assistance of the Waterloo Regional Police Emergency Response Team, and the suspect was taken into custody.

As a result of the ongoing investigation, a 17-year-old Waterloo boy has been charged with two counts reckless discharge of firearm; two counts conspiracy to commit an indictable offence
and two counts weapons trafficking.

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Accused both youths, so can’t be identified

Neither of the two accused teenagers can be named because their identifies are protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

Just after midnight on March 6, sounds of gunshots were reported in the area of Clark Ave. W. and York Hill Blvd. in Vaughan.

York Regional Police officers observed the front doors of the synagogue had been damaged by gunfire.

Two occupants, who were inside at the time of the shooting, were miraculously uninjured.

Toronto Police outside the Congregation Chasedei Bobov at 3703 Bathurst St. in Toronto on Friday, May 8, 2026 – a synagogue in the Wilson Ave. area after a shooting the night before. Photo by Ernest Doroszuk /Toronto Sun/Postmedia Network

Two synagogue shootings in two days

The shooters struck again the next day.

Again, shortly after midnight on March 7, Toronto cops responded to reports of gunshots at a synagogue in the area of Bathurst St. and Glencairn Ave. When officers arrived, they located damage to the synagogue’s front entrance consistent with gunfire.

No one was inside at the time of the shooting and no injuries were reported.

A male, 18, of no fixed address, is facing multiple charges including two counts of mischief to property over $5,000 and several weapons charges. He was 17 years old at the time of the offences.

The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-3500, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477) or at www.222tips.com.

[email protected]

@HunterTOSun

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