WARMINGTON: Toronto cops probing vandalized menorah as suspected hate crime

Latest incident comes as loved ones of slain Daniel Stopnicki speak out about the 'light of our family.'

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Published May 11, 2026  •  4 minute read

Image from Toronto Police of a suspect wanted in a suspected hate-motivated mischief investigation on April 10, 2026, in the Avenue Rd. and Davenport Rd. area. Photo by HANDOUT /TORONTO POLICE

Perhaps this suspect didn’t realize he was on camera when a menorah was damaged in what Toronto Police are now investigating as a suspected hate crime.

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But he will know now. And so will his friends and family.

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“The Toronto Police Service is requesting the public’s assistance with identifying a suspect wanted in a suspected hate-motivated mischief investigation,” police said in a news release issued on Monday.

“The suspect is described as a male, approximately 30 years old, last seen wearing a grey toque, black jacket, grey pants, glasses, and black running shoes,” said the release.

This is a pretty good picture, too. Someone is going to know who this is. In the photo, a man appears to be carrying a drinking glass and wearing a pin on his jacket, which could help identify him.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-3506, or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or at 222tips.com.

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Possible hate crime

“If it is alleged a criminal offence was committed, such as assault or mischief, and it is believed to have been motivated by bias, prejudice or hate, the officer-in-charge may consult with the Crown. If a person is charged and convicted of the offence, the Judge will take into consideration hate as an aggravating factor when imposing a sentience,” police said, adding that “wilful promotion of hatred and advocating genocide are hate propaganda, hate speech, offences which require the Attorney General’s consent to lay charges.”

Whoever this is may want to secure a lawyer and turn himself in to the nearest police station before this becomes even worse for him. Damaging a menorah may end with somebody doing jail time.

“On Friday, April 10, 2026, police were made aware of a mischief that took place in the Avenue Road and Davenport Road area” in which “the unknown male suspect was walking in the area, a large Menorah was positioned in front of a Jewish community centre” and “as the suspect walked by the Menorah, he knocked it down, causing it to be damaged,” police alleged.

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Image from Toronto Police of a suspect wanted in a suspected hate-motivated mischief investigation on April 10, 2026, in the Avenue Road and Davenport Road area.

As I was writing this column came word from Meir Weinstein of Israel Now that Toronto Police have taken a man into custody at the entrance to a Jewish community centre at Bathurst St. and Sheppard Ave. It’s not believed to be related to the menorah incident, but it’s a developing story. More later.

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This is a difficult time for the Jewish community that is under constant attack.

There have been many other antisemitic terror attacks on the Jewish community this year — four synagogues have been shot at, six people targeted for being Jewish by a gunmen with an intimation firearm, and there was the execution of a Jewish man in Wenderly Park.

Daniel Stopnicki. Photo by LinkedIn

There are people in custody in connection with three of those incidents, but finding more information about these suspects is not easy. In the case of the York Region and Toronto synagogues, an 18-year-old was arrested, but his name has not been made public as police allege he committed the shootings while still 17 years old. There is very little out there on the other suspects, Ruslan Novruzov, an 18-year-old from Vaughan charged in the pellet or orbeez gun shooting, or Michaelo Markicevic, 67, a former Collingwood Police officer, in the case of the point-blank-with-five-shots slaying of Daniel Stopnicki.

Hard on light ‘criminals’ and light on heavy criminals

None of the charges against the three have been tested in court. But at least they will be tested.

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All the information and photographs of people charged in alleged hate crimes should be released to the public. The way our justice system protects the people charged with such serious crimes is a head-scratcher when that same system is so tough on people like Tamara Lich, Chris Barber and former MPP Randy Hillier from the so-called Freedom Convoy, or independent journalists like David Menzies, Ezra Levant or Caryma Sa’d.

Meanwhile, Stopnicki’s family issued a statement about their beloved son. Other than at one time teaching at the Seneca College York campus, where his alleged killer also worked, there have not been any known connections with the accused indicated.

Flowers and a candle were set up at Wenderly Park in North York where an unnamed person was shot dead last Thursday. JOE WARMINGTON/TORONTO SUN

It’s a mystery why he was, as police call it, “targeted.”

Everybody who has contacted the Toronto Sun lauded Daniel as a devoted family man who had no enemies and owed no debts.

“Daniel was a light in our family — kind, generous, deeply intelligent, and endlessly compassionate. He loved fiercely: his wife, his family, his friends, and every creature that crossed his path. His loss leaves an ache that words cannot mend, and a space in our lives that can never truly be filled,” the Stopnicki family said. “Still, we will carry him with us in the way he would have wanted. Take a walk in the park. Turn over a stranded snail. Call the people you love. Offer kindness whenever you can. And when you do, think of Daniel.”

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Daniel Stopnicki. Photo by Toronto Police

There is no indication Daniel’s disturbing slaying while walking his dog was connected to other antisemitic crimes mentioned in this column, but the overall point needs to be made that when someone knocks over a menorah or smashes the window of a Jewish-owned business, it’s not just that crime that is the issue, but the escalation that can ensue from less-serious crimes.

Credit goes to Toronto Police for staying on top of this, but also to the United Jewish Appeal, Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, Friends of the Simon Wiesenthal Centre, Israel Now, Unapologetically Jewish and Shomrin for not only keeping this story alive, but also for their investigative efforts, which help police.

Time will tell if there is an arrest or conviction. But the message has been sent: If you commit a crime against the Jewish community, you will be held accountable for doing so.

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