Firearm Discharge Investigation Outside U.S. Consulate

Toronto Police are investigating a firearm discharge outside the United States Consulate in downtown Toronto on July 27, an incident that has prompted a joint investigation involving municipal, federal and international law enforcement agencies.

Speaking at a media briefing, Deputy Chief Frank Barredo said investigators are still working to determine exactly what happened.

“The investigation is still in its early stages, but I will provide you with the information we have at this time,” he said.

At approximately 4:46 a.m., officers stationed outside the U.S. Consulate heard what they believed to be a gunshot and observed a newer-model white Honda Accord fleeing southbound on University Avenue.

Police vehicles pursued the suspect vehicle eastbound on Gerrard Street and then northbound on the Don Valley Parkway. The pursuit was discontinued near Don Mills Road in the interest of public safety after the vehicle reached speeds of more than 140 kilometres per hour.

At the Consulate, officers located evidence confirming that a firearm had been discharged. Damage was found to the stone façade above the front entrance of the building.

“Fortunately, the U.S. Consulate is a highly secure and fortified facility,” Barredo pointed out. “Security personnel were inside the building at the time, and no injuries were reported.”

Investigators currently have no suspect description beyond a newer-model white Honda Accord seen leaving the area. The vehicle was not displaying licence plates.

Barredo noted that the shooting comes just months after another firearm discharge at the same diplomatic facility.

“We recognize that incidents like this are deeply concerning, particularly given the previous firearm discharge at the U.S. Consulate on March 10,” he said. “As you know, Toronto Police arrested three people in connection with that investigation. During the execution of those arrests, Toronto Police Constable Marc Pinizzotto was killed in the line of duty.

“Any act of violence targeting a diplomatic facility is taken extremely seriously. I want to assure the public that we are dedicating the necessary investigative resources to identify those responsible. We have every intention of holding those involved accountable.”

Police are asking anyone who was in the area of University Avenue between Queen Street West and College Street between approximately 4:30 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. to contact investigators if they witnessed anything unusual or have dash camera, security camera or other video footage that could assist the investigation.

Residents can also expect an increased police presence in the area while investigators continue their work.

The investigation is being led by Toronto Police's Integrated Gun and Gang Task Force with support from its Counter Terrorism Security Unit.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police's (RCMP) Integrated National Security Enforcement Team has joined the investigation alongside Toronto Police and international partners.

“This morning, our community experienced another troubling incident,” said Superintendent Jonathan Ko, the RCMP Officer in Charge of Greater Toronto Integrated Operations. “The RCMP Federal Policing -- Central Region, Integrated National Security Enforcement Team, in the GTA is working with the Toronto Police Service as well as our international partners to investigate this matter…Although we are early in the investigation, I can assure the public that this shooting is being investigated with the same dedication that resulted in those arrests back in June.

“Threats and violence towards any persons within Canada are taken very seriously. I want to reassure everyone that our main priority is to keep our communities safe. We continue to work diligently with our partners to investigate this matter to identify the people responsible and hold them accountable for their actions.”

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow condemned the shooting, describing it as a brazen act of violence while expressing confidence in the law enforcement response.

“I want to thank the Toronto Police and RCMP and other federal agencies that are working very closely together to solve this crime and hopefully prevent future ones,” she said. “They have my full support.”

Chow added that she had spoken with the federal Minister of Public Safety and reaffirmed their shared commitment ‘to bring those that are responsible to justice and prevent other shootings’.

“I want to warn the perpetrators that we have apprehended the previous shooters, all three of them, and we will bring you to justice,” she added. You will be held accountable.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Toronto Police at 416-808-2510.