Canadian police investigate gunfire at US consulate in Toronto
[March 11, 2026]
By ROB GILLIES
TORONTO (AP) — Police in Canada searched Tuesday for two assailants who
opened fire at the U.S. consulate in downtown Toronto in an
early-morning attack that damaged the outside of the building but did
not cause any injuries.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police Chief Superintendent Chris Leather called
it a national security incident and said the national police force was
working with Toronto police on finding the suspects and determining the
motive.
The shooting came amid heightened tension over the Iran war, and
followed gunfire attacks on two Toronto-area synagogues last weekend.
Leather said the U.S. and Israeli consulates, as well as embassies in
Ottawa, would see an increase in security.
“It is extremely concerning,” Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said.
“We will use the full weight of our resources to ensure that the
perpetrators feel the full weight of justice.”
Toronto Police Deputy Chief Frank Barredo said two individuals emerged
from a white Honda CRV SUV at around 4:30 a.m. and fired multiple shots
at the building before fleeing. Police released images of the SUV, but
had no further information about the suspects.
“There were people inside the building. However, this building is highly
secured and highly fortified and there were no injuries,” he said.
The gunshots caused damage to the outside but did not penetrate into the
building, Barredo said.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford called it “an absolutely unacceptable act of
violence and intimidation aimed at our American friends and neighbors,"
and he hinted at a possible link to the war in Iran.
[to top of second column]
|
Toronto police officers investigate outside the U.S. consulate in
Toronto on Tuesday March 10, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press
via AP)
Pete Hoekstra, the U.S. Ambassador to Canada, said his team is in
close contact with Canadian authorities.
“This morning’s attack on our Consulate General in Toronto is deeply
troubling. I am very grateful that no one was hurt,” he said in a
social media post. “Our work continues, we will not be intimidated.”
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow said there was a heavy police presence
Tuesday at both the U.S. and Israeli consulates in Toronto, adding
that the city's Jewish community must have the “right to practice
their faith and culture and to live their day-to-day lives without
fear, intimidation or violence.”
Toronto has a large Iranian community and the war in Iran has
prompted demonstrations outside the U.S. consulate, both in support
and in protest. The consulate is often the site of protests.
Carney said in a post on social media that the federal government’s
Incident Response Group met over the weekend to review potential
changes to “the threat landscape” in Canada and discuss ways to
improve domestic security.
All contents © copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved |
