Officials call for ‘concrete action’ after 2nd shooting at Jewish girls school

Schools shouldn’t have to have bulletproof glass or metal detectors.

That was the message delivered Sunday at Bais Chaya Mushka School for Girls, which had a window shot out early Saturday morning in the Finch Ave. W.-Dufferin St. area. It was the second time since May that the North York school was targeted with gunfire.

It was on May 26 when multiple shots were fired at the building in the first case. No injuries were reported, but there was damage to the front of the school.

Security video shows two shooters firing from a fence line and then fleeing in a vehicle.

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On Saturday morning, police found 10 shell casings at the school and more damage to the property, including the shattered window. They said a suspect or suspects in a motor vehicle discharged a firearm at the school.

There was no suspect information, but police said they are investigating whether the two incidents are related.

As of now, police have not called the incident on Saturday a hate crime, although the hate crime unit is involved in the investigation.

Police said the incident is “deeply disturbing” and they will have an increased presence in the area.

“We understand the fear and pain this causes, especially on Yom Kipper,” police said on social media. “To Toronto’s Jewish community: We stand with you. Your safety is our priority. We are committed to finding those responsible.”

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If those in schools aren’t safe, no one is, said Daniel Held, chief program officer with United Jewish Appeal of Greater Toronto.

“In scary times, we will live our Jewish lives despite the hate we are facing,” Held said. “There has been a 50% increase in hate crimes in the last year. It is not the Toronto I grew up in and we need to take strong action.

“As Jews, we know violent words can led to violent actions. What happened here crossed a dangerous line. It was a deliberate attempt to spread fear in the Jewish community, but we are more united than ever and more dedicated to fight antisemitism. We will live our Jewish lives to the fullest. We are strong, resilient and we aren’t going anywhere.”

There was a call for all three levels of government to take action and fight hate crimes after political leaders, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, took to social media to describe the incident as “disgusting” and “horrific.”

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“We need concrete action by our elected officials. How many times will students wake up to shattered windows before action is taken?” Held said.

Rabbi Nochum Sosover, executive director of the school, was thankful no one was injured.

“I want to thank the community for the outpouring of love,” Sosover said. “It is warming to see this kind of outpouring. We will not be scared and each time we get stronger. Elected officials need to do more to fight hate crimes. These people have to be brought to justice.”

Jews no longer feel safe, said Rabbi Yaacov Vidal, the principal of Bais Chaya Mushka School for Girls.

“I worry where we are heading. Action needs to take place before someone gets hurt,” Vidal said.

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