Shots fired at US consulate in Toronto for a second time this year

Police in Toronto are investigating after a gunshot was fired outside the U.S. consulate early Monday morning, marking the second time this year that shots have been fired at the building.

At around 04:45 local time, an officer stationed in front of the consulate heard a single gunshot and then saw a white Honda Accord without a licence plate speeding away from the area. Police pursued the vehicle in a high‑speed chase that was later called off due to safety concerns. No injuries were reported.

Toronto Police have requested cooperation from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and other international law‑enforcement partners in the investigation. RCMP Superintendent Jonathan Ko called the incident “another troubling event,” while Mayor Olivia Chow described the attack as “brazen.”

At least two people were inside the consulate when the gunshot rang out, officials said, noting the building’s heavily fortified structure. A shell casing was recovered from the scene and damage to the façade was observed.

This incident follows a March shooting that police linked to a larger gun‑for‑hire network, and the June raid that resulted in the death of Constable Marc Pinizzotto. Several suspects aged 18 and 19 were later arrested for a string of shootings, including the March attack. Two Jewish‑owned bakeries were also targeted over the weekend, but police have not confirmed a direct link to the consulate shooting.

In May, U.S. officials arrested an Iraqi national, Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al‑Saadi, for allegedly planning attacks on Jewish institutions and U.S. interests in North America and Europe, including the Toronto consulate. Police have not confirmed whether al‑Saadi is involved in this latest attack or identified a motive.

The consulate thanked police for their rapid response in a statement on X, and police continue to monitor the situation closely, urging the public to report any suspicious activity.