Suspects Sought in Consulate Investigation
Toronto Police are seeking the public’s help in identifying the vehicle and suspects who fired shots at the United States Consulate this morning.
At around 5:29 a.m., Toronto Police received reports of a firearms discharge at the Consulate at 361 University Ave. When officers arrived on scene, they found shell casings and damage to the building.
“They were people inside the building, which is highly secured and fortified, and there were no injuries,” Deputy Chief Frank Barredo said at a news conference outside the Consulate on March 10. “There is also some evidence to suggest that the shooting may have taken place as early as 4:29 a.m. Witnesses reported that a white Honda CR-V traveling westbound on Dundas St. turned southbound on University Ave. and stopped in front of the Consulate.”
He said two people exited a white Honda CRV and discharged what appears to be a handgun at the front of the building before getting back into the vehicle and driving southbound.
“This is very early in the investigation,” said Barredo. “It is very active, and we are aggressively assigning investigators and resources to determine what happened and bring the offenders to justice.”
The Integrated Gun & Gang Task Force is leading the investigation.
“However, it is important to note that we are working in partnership, collaboration, and cooperation with many of our GTA partners as well as federal partners,” Barredo added. “The Toronto Police Service takes incidents like this extremely seriously. We appreciate and understand the concerns and how unsettling and disturbing this is, and how angry it may make some citizens. I can assure Torontonians and Canadians that Toronto Police consider this the most serious type of event and are actively pursuing its resolution.”
The commanding officer is asking members of the public with video footage, or who saw suspicious activity in the area that may be connected to the shooting, to contact police.
Chief Superintendent Chris Leather, officer in charge of RCMP Criminal Operations in Ontario, said the RCMP is working closely with Toronto Police and its international partners on the investigation.
“This is a national security incident, and we are working with Toronto Police and others to understand the motivations of those involved,” he noted. “Our community has experienced a deeply concerning incident, and I acknowledge the worrying uncertainty people are feeling today. Our thoughts are with everyone affected, as well as those who may be feeling unsettled by what has occurred.”
Leather added that the RCMP has increased security around embassies and consulate buildings in Toronto and the Ottawa region.
“There will be no tolerance for any form of intimidation, harassment, or harmful targeting of any communities or individuals in Canada,” he added. “We want to assure everyone that safety and security are at the forefront of everything we do.”
Anyone who may have been in the area – specifically University Avenue between Queen Street West and College Street – between 4:00 a.m. and 5:30 a.m., or who may have video footage, dash camera footage, or other information, is asked to contact Toronto Police.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-2510, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or at www.222tips.com.
