WARMINGTON: As trade spat rages, alleged U.S. consulate shooter freed on bail

If Donald Trump thought Canadians were 'nasty' before, imagine how he will feel about news that man accused of March 10 U.S. Consulate shooting in Toronto does not have to await trial in jail

Published Aug 29, 2026  •  4 minute read

Toronto Police officers work around the scene of a shooting at the U.S. Consulate in Toronto, March 10, 2026. Photo by Cole Burston / AFP / Files /Getty Images

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If U.S. President Donald J. Trump was upset about Premier Doug Ford telling him to “kiss” his behind, there’s no telling how he may react to an Ontario judge saying the man charged in shooting up the American consulate in downtown Toronto does not have to sit in jail and is free to wait at home until his trial.

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It’s noteworthy that in a courthouse right across the very street where Zara Jabbi is accused of shooting up the consulate came a decision to allow the 19-year-old man to remain under a house arrest form of bail.

The American consulate is at 360 University Ave. The Ontario courtroom he appeared in Thursday is at 361 University Ave.

Some argue there were crimes committed a both of these locations.

Toronto Police officers work around the scene of a shooting at the U.S. Consulate in Toronto, March 10, 2026. Photo by Cole Burston / AFP / Files /Getty Images

Just steps from where the March 10 shooting occurred, Jabbi strolled into the courtroom to face the Crown’s office challenging his July 7 strict conditions bail release. Later in the day, he walked right out those doors free of shackles or handcuffs and on release after a judge dismissed the attempt to keep him incarcerated. The judge also implemented a publication ban that does not allow reporting of the reasons.

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Wearing a hoodie and with his family in tow, Jabbi did not respond to reporter’s questions as he walked out instead of awaiting his trial in jail and unlike Tamara Lich, who had to spend 49 days in custody after being charged with mischief for the Freedom Convoy protests in Ottawa.

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These are unique times in the rich history between Canada and the United States with bizarre decisions like the CBC telling reporters to not call the 9/11 hijackers terrorists that has now been reversed, to President Trump signing a name change of Lake Ontario to Lake America, to Prime Minister Marc Carney effectively declaring a trade war and — with the exception of some social media posts — disappearing the rest of the week from the news cycles.

Court and U.S. consulate just steps apart

But underneath all of that, what can’t swept away was right in Toronto. The U.S. consulate was the scene of an alleged terror event related to what Toronto Police say was an alleged elaborate guns-for-hire operation stemming from international terrorism actors.

As a refresher, the accused in the consulate shooting is connected to the June 11 murder of Toronto Police Const. Marc Pinizzotto. When police went to a fourth-floor apartment on 15 Martha Eaton Way near Trethewey and Black Creek Drs. to execute a search warrant and arrest suspects in the shooting, the veteran officer was shot to death while the accused Nicholas Bennett was wounded when officers returned fire.

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On the day of the cop shooting, Toronto Police issued this statement: “Constable Pinizzotto was killed in the line of duty this morning while executing a high-risk search warrant as part of a coordinated series of five warrants.

“During the incident, a suspect was shot by police and remains in hospital. Nicholas Bennett, 19, of Toronto, will be charged with First Degree Murder in connection with the death of Constable Pinizzotto” and “another individual, Zara Jabbi, 19, remains outstanding. He is wanted in connection with the March shooting at the U.S. Consulate and is considered armed and dangerous.”

Jabbi was arrested a week later on June 18 when he flew into Pearson International Airport from somewhere in Africa to turn himself into police. He was charged with discharging a restricted or prohibited firearm, attacking the premise of internationally protected persons, possessions of crime more than $5,000, and car theft.

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He has not been charged in connection with Pinizzotto’s slaying. But the other charges have not been tested in court, and he is considered innocent until proven guilty. His next court date is unknown. But a Superior Court judge has upheld his earlier bail conditions, which include house arrest with an electronic ankle monitor and living with his family.

Politicians comment on Lake America but not Jabbi bail

Only in Canada would politicians and citizens be more upset about the stunt of renaming Lake Ontario to Lake America but silent on the easy bail release of a man charged with shooting up the U.S. Embassy.

But that is how emotionally charged things have become in the trade war with America. Just a week ago, the word was the two countries were close to an agreement to sign a deal. But since talks fell apart late on Aug. 21, a cold war begun consisting of insults, harsh words and actions like Ford telling Trump to “kiss his ass” and the White House announcing changing Lake Ontario’s name in retaliation.

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But none of the leaders have so far commented on the soft release on Jabbi in a province that has introduced new cash bail rules, which is supposed to toughen up the ability to walk out on bail on serious crimes.

This is now facing a constitutional challenge in the same courthouse.

If any Americans are paying attention to the case of the March 10 consulate shooting, which was the first of two shootings — the second occurring July 27 — they will see the Ontario Court does not feel this is a serious enough alleged crime to keep one of the accused in the incident locked up in jail until trial.

And that he walked very close to the very building when he left court, where American consular officials work each day and a portrait of Trump hangs in its lobby.

Read More

1. 

   Toronto Police charge teen, young man in second U.S. Consulate shooting

2. 

   WARMINGTON: Toronto Police now have wanted suspect Zara Jabbi in custody

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