WARMINGTON: Teen accused of pellet gun shooting at synagogue bailed out for $2,000

Ruslan Novruzov, 18, of Vaughan, reportedly freed under release conditions after being arrested on Friday

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Published May 11, 2026  •  3 minute read

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

Just when the Jewish community was feeling safer after a man accused of allegedly shooting pellets toward Jews had been arrested and detained came word that he was released on bail for the bargain-basement amount of $2,000.

As the great reporter Catherine McDonald of Global News posted Monday night on X, Ruslan Novruzov, 18, of Vaughan, was granted bail with conditions.

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“I was in court as today as Ruslan Novruzov was granted bail by a justice of the peace,” the award-winning reporter posted. “Some of the conditions of his release include that Novruzov must live under house arrest with his surety, must have no contact with the alleged victims and may not possess any weapons.”

But the amount to secure bail was already raising eyebrows. Is that $1,000 for each alleged incident?

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Cops made quick arrest after 2nd incident

The first one occurred on April 30 near Bathurst St. and Lawrence Ave., where there were reports that three “visibly identifiable members of the Jewish community” were allegedly fired at with an Orbeez-style replica rifle. Then on May 7, there was a second incident outside the Congregation Chasidei Bobov synagogue on Bathurst at Wilson Ave., in which three people were allegedly targeted.

At least one person was struck in each incident with either gel capsules or pellets allegedly discharged from a blue SUV.

Toronto Police described both incidents as suspected hate crimes and made an arrest about eight hours after the second attack.

Toronto Police charged the teen with four counts of assault with a weapon and two counts of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.

“I want to acknowledge the fear and distress this has caused,” acting deputy chief Joe Matthews told reporters. “We recognize that Jewish residents have been living with a heightened sense of fear due to repeated incidents targeting their community and this only adds to that, which is completely unacceptable.”

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Matthews said that “while the weapons used were imitation firearms, the impacts are very real. These are criminal acts that we allege were meant to intimidate and cause fear.”

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This thing shook not only the Jewish community, but the entire province.

“These attacks will not be tolerated and I’m pleased the Toronto Police have acted quickly in response and have a suspect in custody,” wrote Premier Doug Ford on X. “I expect that all those who are responsible will be punished to the full extent of the law.”

Ontario Attorney General Michael Kerzner added that “one act of antisemitism is not just an attack on the Jewish community, it is an attack on everyone who upholds the values of tolerance, of decency, of friendship … we must stand up united and we must call it out and we must show the rest of the world we will not tolerate it here or anywhere in our country.”

But to see the accused, who has not had his day in court to see the charges tested, released on such a small amount so quickly is not instilling confidence amongst some who live in the area.

“This is outrageous,” said Meir Weinstein of Israel Now. “This will send shock waves throughout the Jewish community regarding the value this court places on Jewish lives,” adding it could potentially “embolden more attacks against the Jewish community.”

Time will tell if justice is served here. But for now, it feels like a $2,000 slap in the face.

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