Police investigating after shots fired at U.S. Consulate in Toronto

The U.S. Consulate is seen surrounded by construction  pylons in a 2023 Google Maps image.

Toronto police are reporting that someone shot at the U.S. Consulate in the city’s downtown early Tuesday morning.

In a post to social media, police reported a firearm discharge in the area of University Avenue and Queen Street West at 5:29 a.m.

“Police responded to reports that someone discharged a firearm at the American Consulate” the post said, adding: “Police are on scene – Evidence of a firearm discharge has been located – No reports of injuries.”

David Jacobs, a Toronto radiologist and Lieutenant Governor in Council member of the University of Toronto’s governing council who has contributed articles to National Post, posted to X: “Canada, we have a problem. Hate and violence always begins by targeting Jews, but it never ends with there. In the last two weeks, 3 synagogues have been fired on, and now the US consulate.”

He added: “We need urgent action before there is further escalation.”

The

U.S. Consulate

is located at 360 University Ave., at the corner of University and Armoury Street, just north of Queen Street West. The entrance for visa services is at the back of the building on Simcoe Street, while the entrance for American citizen services is on University.

In an update to the initial message, police said they were on the scene investigating, but that they had no information on a suspect. University Avenue was closed southbound from Armoury Street to Queen while the investigation continued.

Several buildings in Toronto and nearby have been shot at since the U.S.-Israel operation against Iran began 10 days ago. In addition to the

three synagogues

that were struck by bullets in the past week, an Iranian-owned boxing gym in Thornhill, Ont., was

hit by gunfire

early Sunday morning.

Meanwhile, Norwegian police continue to investigate an explosion that occurred outside the U.S. embassy in Oslo on Sunday, and they have released images of a person who is believed to be linked to the attack, which caused minor damage to the building. There have been no injuries reported in any of the recent attacks.

The

BBC reports

that the U.S. state department is also investigating the Toronto incident. Coverage by

CP24 showed

police with flashlights investigating the outside of the building before dawn Tuesday morning, with a reporter saying it was too dark to identify any damage.

However, the

New York Times

is reporting that television images showed what appear to be at least two marks left by bullets in a glass door at the main entrance.

Toronto city councillor Brad Bradford posted to X: “This is completely outrageous and unacceptable. Bullets flying in an indiscriminate way has to stop.”

And Penny Collenette, a lawyer, adjunct professor at the University of Ottawa and recent Order of Canada recipient, posted news of the consulate attack, adding: “And gunshots fired at two synagogues the night before. Warnings?”

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