Hate crime unit investigates after shots fired at Toronto Jewish school on Yom Kippur

Shots were fired at a Jewish girls' school in Toronto early on Saturday morning during Yom Kippur. This is the second time the school has been targeted this year, with a similar incident happening in May. 

Law enforcement received a report around 4 am local time on Saturday of a smashed window at the Bais Chaya Mushka Girls' Elementary School. After inspecting the scene, police determined that the window and other parts of the building had been struck by gunfire. 

Inspector Paul Krawczyk confirmed that no individuals were present in the school at the time, and no injuries were reported, according to CBC News. Additionally, police had not received any reports of gunshots in the area at the time of the shooting. 

The hate crime unit is investigating the incident, Krawczyk said, noting that the shooting took place just before Yom Kippur, one of the most sacred Jewish holidays of the year. 

"We understand this is deeply unsettling for the Jewish community," Krawczyk said. 

Krawczyk explained that there has been an increased police presence in Jewish neighborhoods in recent weeks. The police plan to further increase their patrols in the neighborhood surrounding the school as the investigation continues and more details emerge. 

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responded to the shooting in a post on X. 

“I’m very disturbed to hear that last night, as families marked Yom Kippur, there were shots fired at a Jewish school in Toronto,” Trudeau said. “As we wait for more details, my heart goes out to the students, staff, and parents who must be terrified and hurting today.” 

“Antisemitism is a disgusting and dangerous form of hate — and we won't let it stand,” he added. However, many were quick to slam Trudeau over perceived past inaction on antisemitism. 

One user noted, "You have never taken a single step to stop the radical antisemitism rallies while endless threats against Jewish lives were made. Where were you? Stop acting like you care. Jews aren’t safe in Canada anymore."

Others slammed Trudeau for mass immigration, saying that the Canadian Prime Minister facilitated antisemitism that has taken place in Canada. "Disturbed? YOU ENABLE ALL OF IT!!! You imported the hate & let it fester since 2016," user Bruce McGonigal wrote with a video of people chanting "Death to Israel!" and "Death to Canada!" 

This is not the first time the school has been targeted this year. Last May, police opened an investigation after unknown suspects fired at the school on a Saturday morning as well. No arrests have been made in connection with that incident.