Toronto Police Chief Warns of Youth-Driven Shootings Targeting Jewish Sites and U.S. Embassies

Toronto police have revealed that young individuals are being hired to carry out shootings across the city, targeting Jewish institutions and the U.S. consulate. Police Chief Myron Demkiw briefed reporters on Tuesday, citing recent arrests related to multiple firearm discharge investigations, including the shooting at the U.S. Consulate on March 10, 2026 and a raid that resulted in the death of a veteran police officer.

Demkiw highlighted a recurring pattern in these incidents, describing them as a “modus operandi” orchestrated by criminals for hire. He explained that perpetrators are recruited through encrypted messaging apps and are often required to film their attacks to receive payment.

Both Toronto Police, the RCMP and the FBI remain uncertain about the identity of those funding these operations, with ongoing investigations focused on uncovering the financiers and their motives.

Demkiw emphasized that criminal actors exploiting local networks are creating fear within communities, particularly the Jewish community, and that authorities are actively pursuing the individuals responsible for orchestrating these acts.

Chief Superintendent Joe Matthews addressed inquiries about the encrypted platforms facilitating recruitment, identifying WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal as primary channels while anticipating the discovery of additional apps. He underscored the complexity of the investigations and the necessity of supporting federal and provincial partners through legislative reform to enable judicially authorized interception of encrypted communications.

Matthews confirmed that these networks likely extend beyond Toronto, suggesting they are national and potentially international in scope.

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