Second Time This Year: Gunfire Outside US Consulate in Toronto

At least one shot was fired early Monday morning outside the US Consulate in downtown Toronto, police reported. Officers responding to the scene found evidence of a weapon being used outside the building located on University Avenue. In a post on the X platform, police noted that a white sedan was seen fleeing the scene and confirmed that no casualties were reported.

Last March, two gunmen fired several shots at the same consulate, an incident police classified as a security breach. Following that event, security was increased around diplomatic facilities of the United States and Israel in the city.

Toronto Deputy Police Chief Frank Barredo told reporters that the suspects approached the complex around 4:30 AM in a white SUV, exited the vehicle, and fired several handgun rounds at the building. People were inside at the time, but Barredo stated that "the building is very secure and well-fortified, and there were no casualties."

Chris Leather, a senior officer with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, said the shooting is "definitely a national security incident because the United States consulate was targeted by gunfire."

"Whether it is a terrorist event — that will be subject to investigation," Leather said.

Leather added that security procedures around US and Israeli diplomatic buildings in Toronto and the Canadian capital, Ottawa, have been reinforced following the event.

"It is quite clear that based on the events in Toronto and elsewhere, these consulates deserve an increased level of vigilance and security at this time," he said. In the days leading up to the shooting, demonstrations had been held outside the consulate in protest against the war in the Middle East.