Man charged after imitation gun fired at Jewish community members: Toronto police
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TORONTO – Toronto police say an 18-year-old man is facing multiple charges after two alleged hate-motivated assaults with a gel blaster imitation gun against members of the Jewish community, incidents condemned by the prime minister and Ontario premier.
Police say they were called to the area of Bathurst Street and Lawrence Avenue on April 30 after a suspect in a vehicle allegedly used a gel blaster, which shoots gel beads, at three “visibly identifiable” Jewish community members while they were walking outside.
Police say they responded to a report of another assault Thursday night when three people standing outside the Congregation Chasidei Bobov synagogue were also allegedly shot at with a gel blaster.
They say one person was struck and had minor injuries, and both incidents are being investigated as suspected hate-motivated offences.
Police say officers executed a search warrant at a home in Vaughan, Ont., on Friday and seized evidence including two imitation firearms.
They say the suspect has been charged with four counts of assault with a weapon and two counts of possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose.
Acting deputy police chief Joe Matthews said the alleged assaults are “unacceptable.”
“While the weapons used were imitation firearms, the impacts are very real. These are criminal acts that we allege were meant to intimidate and cause fear,” he said at a press conference on Friday.
Premier Doug Ford said he was “disgusted” by the incidents and added they will not be tolerated.
“I expect that all those who are responsible will be punished to the full extent of the law,” Ford said in a social media post.
Prime Minister Mark Carney called the replica firearm shooting “an abhorrent act of antisemitism,” and said he’s relieved that an arrest has been made.
“Law enforcement agencies have my full support as they investigate, and as they work to bring justice for the victims and the wider Jewish community,” Carney said in a social media post, adding that Canada is committed to “combating the scourge of antisemitism and hate in all of its forms.”
B’Nai Brith Canada, a Jewish volunteer and advocacy organization, said the latest incidents show an escalation in violence from targeting synagogues to Jewish people directly. The organization repeated its call for a federal task force to combat antisemitism.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 8, 2026.