Police in Toronto are investigating after a gunshot was fired at the United States consulate early on Monday, marking the second such incident at the building this year.
The shooting happened at about 04:45 local time, according to police. An officer posted outside the consulate heard a single shot and saw a white car without a licence plate leaving the area. Officers briefly pursued the vehicle, but the chase was called off because of safety concerns.
No injuries were reported. Police said one shell casing was recovered and that there was damage to the building’s exterior. Investigators have not said how many people may have been involved or identified a motive.
Toronto Police Deputy Chief Frank Barredo said at least two people were inside the consulate at the time. He said the building was “very heavily fortified” and that those inside may not have heard the shot. Officers across the city have been asked to watch for the vehicle and any potential suspects.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police is assisting Toronto police, along with international law enforcement partners. Supt Jonathan Ko of the RCMP described the matter as “another troubling incident”, while Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow called it a “brazen” act and said those responsible would be pursued.
In a post on X, the US consulate thanked police for their response. The building has had officers stationed outside since March, when shots were fired outside the same consular premises. No one was injured in that earlier incident, which police at the time described as a national security matter.
The March shooting led to a wider investigation. In June, police carried out raids linked to that case, during which Toronto police officer Marc Pinizzotto, 43, was killed. Authorities later arrested several suspects, aged 18 and 19, who were accused of involvement in a series of shootings, including the earlier incident outside the US consulate. Police have said that case was connected to a broader gun-for-hire network.
Authorities have not announced any arrests in Monday’s shooting. Police released images of the suspect vehicle, described as a white Honda Accord with no licence plate, and asked the public to assist with information that could help identify those involved.
The latest incident comes amid heightened concern over targeted violence in Toronto. Police said two Jewish-owned bakeries in the city were also targeted over the weekend, including at least one incident involving gunfire. Investigators said on Monday that there was currently no established link between those incidents and the consulate shooting, although they had not ruled out a connection.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said he was “totally disgusted” by the shootings and vandalism reported in Toronto over recent days. Prime Minister Mark Carney said he was “appalled” and said law enforcement had his full support as officers carried out their investigation and sought to hold those responsible accountable.
The consulate shooting also follows a separate case announced by US authorities in May, when officials arrested 32-year-old Iraqi national Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al-Saadi. He was accused by US officials of planning more than a dozen attacks in North America and Europe targeting Jewish institutions and US interests, including the US consulate in Toronto. Toronto police have not said whether al-Saadi is connected to their investigation into Monday’s shooting.
Consulates are diplomatic facilities that often receive enhanced security because of their role in providing services to citizens and representing foreign governments. An attack or suspected attack on such a site can prompt co-operation between local police, federal agencies and international partners, particularly where investigators consider possible links to organised or ideologically motivated violence.
Police said the investigation remains active and urged anyone with information about the vehicle or the shooting to come forward. Officials have not provided a timeline for further updates, but said the response would continue with support from federal and international law enforcement agencies.
