Suspect fires replica firearm at Jewish community members in suspected hate attack
Updated
Updated · CityNews Toronto · May 3
Suspect fires replica firearm at Jewish community members in suspected hate attack
12 articles · Updated · CityNews Toronto · May 3
Toronto police said the April 30 assault happened near Bathurst Street and Lawrence Avenue West in North York, where victims suffered minor injuries and the suspect fled in a blue SUV.
Investigators released home surveillance footage of the vehicle and are treating the case as a suspected hate-motivated assault with a weapon while seeking public help to identify the driver.
A previous report said the weapon was a gel pellet gun, and Jewish community representatives described the drive-by as part of rising antisemitic violence in Toronto.
As violence rises, are Jewish communities being forced to hide their identity to stay safe in Canada?
Canada's anti-hate bill failed. What is the new plan to stop the surge in violent extremism?
With youth terror investigations tripling, is online radicalization now Canada's biggest domestic security threat?
April 30 Toronto Hate Crime Highlights National Crisis of 6,800 Antisemitic Incidents in 2025
Overview
On April 30, 2026, visibly Jewish residents in Toronto were targeted in a gel pellet gun attack, prompting the Toronto Police to classify it as a hate crime and release suspect images to the public. This incident, part of a broader surge in antisemitism marked by over 6,800 incidents in 2025, sparked strong community resilience and demands for faster security funding and increased police presence. In response, law enforcement launched specialized patrols and task forces, while British Columbia introduced new laws regulating replica weapons. Canada’s Action Plan on Combatting Hate guides legal reforms, education, and protection measures, emphasizing a coordinated government effort to address rising antisemitism and safeguard vulnerable communities.