US Consulate in Toronto shot for second time in 2026, police search for suspect

Toronto police are investigating after gunfire struck the U.S. Consulate in downtown Toronto early Monday morning, marking the second time the building has been targeted in recent months.

No injuries were reported, but police said a single shell casing was found near the consulate and the building’s exterior was damaged. Authorities have not determined how many people were involved or what the motive behind the shooting was.

Deputy Chief Frank Barredo said an officer near the building saw a white Honda Accord with no licence plates speeding away from the area immediately after the shooting. “We will approach this situation with great seriousness,” Barredo said, describing the incident as “brazen” and “despicable.”

Police briefly pursued the vehicle on the Don Valley Parkway near Don Mills Road, but the chase was called off because of safety concerns after the vehicle reached speeds above 140 km/h. Aerial support was not available at the time, reports CBC News.

Toronto police spokesperson Stephanie Sayer said the department currently relies on helicopter support from the Ontario Provincial Police and Durham Regional Police Service. Toronto is expected to receive its own helicopter later this year.

The U.S. embassy confirmed there were no injuries and thanked Toronto police for their response. The area around the consulate was closed off during the investigation, with part of University Avenue temporarily shut down before reopening later Monday.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police is assisting Toronto police and working with international partners on the investigation. “Threats and violence towards any persons in Canada are taken very seriously,” said RCMP Supt. Jonathan Ko.

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow said she spoke with Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree about preventing shootings and stopping the flow of illegal firearms into the city. “This is when there is a police cruiser with the lights flashing right in front of it,” Chow said. “I want to say to the person or persons responsible: We will get you.”

The shooting comes just over four months after the consulate was targeted on March 10. No one was injured in that incident, which the RCMP previously described as a national security matter. Three people were later arrested in connection with that shooting as part of a wider investigation into alleged gun crimes across Toronto, including claims that young people were recruited to carry out attacks.

Police are also investigating recent gunfire damage at two Jewish-owned bakeries in Toronto. Ontario Premier Doug Ford condemned the incidents. “I’m totally disgusted by the shootings and vandalism that took place in Toronto over the last few days,” Ford said. “I expect all those responsible to be found, prosecuted and punished to the fullest extent of the law.”