A Toronto elementary school for Jewish girls in North York was struck by gunfire overnight, which marks the third shooting incident at Bais Chaya Mushka School for Girls this year as antisemitic attacks rise in Canada.
Toronto Police Services responded to a firearm discharge at the school around 2:30 am Friday. TPS said its Hate Crime Unit has taken over the investigation. Police reported no injuries and the school remained open, City News reported.
TPS Superintendent Paul MacIntye said six rounds were fired at the school and authorities believe there are multiple suspects involved who arrived in a vehicle. "With just a few days away from Hanukkah, we know how concerning this is for the Jewish community. We're committed to doing anything we can to find those responsible," he said.
Similar shootings have occurred at the all-girls elementary school in the past, with the most recent incident occurring in October. In that incident, two arrests were made, one of which was a 17-year-old juvenile. On May 25, another shooting at the school happened around 4:50 am. Police said a dark-colored vehicle approached the school and the suspects got out and opened fire. No injuries were reported.
Pierre Poilievre, Conservative Party candidate for Prime Minister, blamed the increase in antisemitic attacks on the leftwing Trudeau government, writing on X, "Another horrific act of antisemitic violence at a Toronto elementary school for Jewish girls. After 9 years of NDP-Liberals, our people are living in fear, hate and violence are on the rise, and Trudeau does nothing. STEP UP and protect our people!"
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responded to the incident, saying he was "sickened" by the "hateful antisemitic attack," and encouraged anyone with information to contact Toronto Police.
MacIntyre stated that a police presence, which will include a command post in the vicinity, will be present at the elementary school for the foreseeable future.
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