Canada Increases Security at US Consulate After Shots Fired

TORONTO (Reuters) – Canadian security forces are intensifying protection around US and Israeli diplomatic buildings in Toronto following shots fired at the consulate on Tuesday. Police found spent shell casings and minor damage to the building when they responded to a call, but no injuries occurred.

Prime Minister Mark Carney characterized the act as “a reprehensible act of violence” and announced enhanced security measures for affected consulates and embassies in both Toronto and Ottawa. “These consulates deserve heightened vigilance during this time,” Chief Superintendent Chris Leather of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police stated at a press conference, emphasizing that the investigation would be classified as a national security incident.

Toronto Police Deputy Chief Frank Barredo provided details of the shooting: Two men exited a white SUV outside the consulate around 4:30 am and fired shots from a handgun at the front of the building. The gunmen then drove away. According to witness evidence, these actions were aimed at intimidation.

“The perpetrators will be brought to full justice,” Carney emphasized on his X account, calling for all available police resources to identify and apprehend those responsible.

This incident follows three separate synagogue shootings in the Toronto area last week, with no injuries reported. While Barredo did not link the consulate shooting to these synagogues at this time, he noted that both incidents raise national security concerns.

In Oslo, Norway, an improvised device exploded at the US embassy on Sunday, prompting a search for a suspect by police. Authorities are investigating whether there may be any connection between this incident and previous attacks in Iran, with ongoing inquiries into potential links to political violence.

Meanwhile, two men have been charged with terrorism in New York City for throwing a homemade bomb at anti-Islam protesters over the weekend.

The escalating tensions highlight the need for greater security measures across Canada’s diplomatic infrastructure. Authorities are collaborating closely with local law enforcement and international partners to address these threats effectively.