Gunman fires at US consulate in Toronto, police probe links to earlier attack

A gunman fired at the United States consulate in downtown Toronto early Monday and fled in a high-speed chase, four months after a similar shooting at the same location linked to an alleged guns-for-hire network. Police said there were no injuries, but the brazen attack has raised concerns about security and potential connections to other recent shootings in the city.

Shots fired, high-speed chase

Toronto Police Deputy Chief Frank Barredo said an officer stationed at the consulate—part of increased security following the March incident—heard a firearm discharge just before 5 a.m. The officer spotted a white Honda Accord sedan without a license plate fleeing the scene and alerted a nearby squad car. Officers pursued the vehicle at speeds over 140 kilometers per hour but terminated the chase due to safety protocols, Barredo said.

Investigators later found a bullet hole in one of the consulate's exterior walls and a shell casing from a handgun on the ground. The intersection of University Avenue and Dundas Street, a major downtown hub, was closed for hours as forensic teams worked.

Investigating possible links to March shooting and other attacks

Barredo said police are looking into whether Monday's shooting is connected to the March attack on the same consulate, which U.S. prosecutors tied to an alleged Iraqi terrorist with links to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Two people were arrested last month in connection with that incident, which authorities said was part of a wider guns-for-hire network. An officer was killed during a raid targeting suspects in that case.

Police are also examining any link to a separate shooting over the weekend at a Jewish-owned bakery elsewhere in Toronto. Barredo cautioned that the investigation is in its early stages and no motive has been established. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is involved and working with international partners, Superintendent Jonathan Ko said, without providing details.

Political response and calls for action

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow condemned the attack, calling it a “brazen act” given that a police cruiser with flashing lights was parked in front of the consulate at the time. She reiterated her call for removing illegal American guns from city streets and holding shooters accountable.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford expressed disgust at the targeting of the U.S. consulate and Jewish-owned businesses, noting that active police investigations are underway. The U.S. consulate thanked Toronto police for their response and said operations resumed Monday afternoon.

Looking ahead

The latest shooting underscores ongoing concerns about gun violence in Toronto and the potential for foreign-linked attacks on diplomatic missions. Police have not identified any suspects in Monday's incident and are appealing for witnesses. The investigation will likely focus on whether the shooter acted alone or as part of a coordinated network, and authorities are expected to enhance security around the consulate and other sensitive sites.