Toronto Police Uncover ‘Gun-for-Hire’ Network Linked to Shootings at American Consulate and Synagogues

Law enforcement officials in Canada say they have uncovered a “multi-layered” gun-for-hire network that may be connected to a March shooting at the American consulate at Toronto. Toronto’s chief of police, Myron Demkiw, told reporters at a news conference on Tuesday that officials believe that shootings at synagogues, Jewish schools, and an American consulate were carried out by young people who were recruited on encrypted messaging apps, such as Telegram and WhatsApp, to carry out attacks.Mr. Demkiw said, “Through encrypted messaging apps, young people are hired to carry out attacks against various targets.”“In order to get paid, they’re required to film their attacks. Who’s paying for this? This is what we are trying to determine,” the police chief added. Mr. Demkiw also said that a condition for the young people to get paid is that they film their attacks. The press conference came less than a week after police executed search warrants related to multiple shootings at Toronto. Three arrests were made in connection with the investigations into the shootings. Law enforcement also discovered a handgun that was connected to at least six shootings around the city and another gun that was connected to at least 21 other shootings. Law enforcement said they believe that the guns are being “swapped around” the city to be used in various shootings. Mr. Demkiw said that “some of the people hiring these criminals” want to “create a sense of fear in our communities, including in the Jewish community.” Three people have been arrested in connection with the shootings, including Sheldon Tracey-Stewart, who was charged with the shooting at the American consulate in March. There were no injuries in that shooting. American law enforcement officials are investigating whether the shooting was connected to a terror network that vowed to carry out attacks as retribution for the war in Iran. In May, American officials charged Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al-Saadi with terrorism. Court documents allege he planned roughly 20 attacks in Europe and claimed responsibility for the consulate shooting. Investigators said they are searching for another suspect in connection with the consulate shooting, Zara Jabbi, 19.

Toronto Police Uncover ‘Gun-for-Hire’ Network Linked to Shootings at American Consulate and Synagogues

Toronto Police Uncover ‘Gun-for-Hire’ Network Linked to Shootings at American Consulate and Synagogues

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