Toronto police arrest 2 teenagers over latest shooting at US consulate

Toronto police announced two arrests on Thursday in connection with the shooting at a US consulate in the city last month, calling the accused “criminals for hire.”

The July 27 shooting was the second time this year gunfire had been directed at the US diplomatic building in the downtown core of Canada’s largest city.

No one was injured in either event, but police described both as “national security” incidents, and the initial shooting on March 10 prompted beefed-up protection for US and Israeli diplomatic buildings in multiple Canadian cities, as war gripped the Middle East.

Toronto police said those arrested included a 19-year-old and a minor, aged 15. Both have been charged with 11 offenses, including “an attack on premises of internationally protected persons.”

Police identified the adult suspect as 19-year-old Xen-Ul-Abdeen Syed, who faces multiple firearm, arson and stolen-property charges, as well as a charge of attacking the premises of an internationally protected person. The minor cannot be identified under Canadian law.

“We believe these offenses were carried out by criminals for hire, recruited and directed through encrypted messaging apps,” police chief Myron Demkiw said in a statement.

“There has been significant public interest and speculation about who is behind these crimes,” Demkiw added. “That remains a key focus of our investigation.”

Police said they believe the suspects were recruited through an encrypted messaging app and were offered money to open fire on the consulate.

Two men, Sheldon Tracy-Stewart, 18, and Zara Jabbi, 19, were arrested in June as part of the investigation into the March shooting. Police said the men were recruited to carry out violent acts but did not provide further details.

Since the first shooting, police have maintained a visible presence outside the consulate. The July 27 shooting occurred despite a marked police cruiser stationed nearby.

Police said a white Honda Accord pulled alongside the consulate at about 4:46 a.m. and a single shot was fired, striking the front of the building. A brief police chase followed, but police ceased the chase as the driver of the vehicle was traveling at excessive speed.

Chief Supt. Joe Matthews said investigators believe shootings, homicides and arsons are increasingly being commissioned through online apps, with suspects offered varying amounts of money depending on the crime.

“In many circumstances we know they are not getting paid,” Matthews said.

Police also allege the two suspects were involved in setting fire to a vehicle in a community outside Toronto three days before the latest consulate shooting.

Toronto police in June said they believed multiple shootings, including the March incident, could be linked to “multilayered” gun-for-hire networks that have also targeted synagogues in the city.

Over the weekend, two popular Jewish-owned bakeries were targeted by gunfire.

Toronto Police deputy chief Frank Barredo said police have not ruled out a connection between the two incidents.

“Investigators will follow the evidence to where it leads,” he said.