Toronto police have arrested a 19-year-old man and a 15-year-old boy in connection with a shooting at the U.S. Consulate that occurred in July. This marks the second incident at the diplomatic mission within five months, and authorities allege the attack was orchestrated by a gun-for-hire network involved in other violent crimes in the city.
Authorities identified the adult suspect as Xen-Ul-Abdeen Syed, 19, who faces multiple charges including firearm offenses, arson, and possession of stolen property, along with a charge related to attacking an internationally protected person's premises. The 15-year-old suspect, who cannot be identified under Canadian law, also faces charges.
The July 27 shooting occurred before dawn, with a white Honda Accord reportedly pulling alongside the consulate and discharging a single shot that struck the front of the building. Police attempted a pursuit but disengaged due to the vehicle's excessive speed. No injuries were reported in the incident.
This shooting followed a similar incident on March 10, for which two arrests were made in June. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police are conducting a parallel investigation, classifying the July shooting as a national security incident.
Police stated that they believe the suspects were recruited via an encrypted messaging application and were offered payment to fire on the consulate. "There has been significant public interest and speculation about who is behind these crimes," Police Chief Myron Demkiw said. "That remains a key focus of our investigation."
Investigators suspect that shootings, homicides, and arsons are increasingly commissioned through online platforms, with varying amounts of money offered to perpetrators based on the crime's nature. "In many circumstances we know they are not getting paid," Chief Supt. Joe Matthews noted.
Police also allege that the two suspects were involved in setting fire to a vehicle in a community outside Toronto three days prior to the consulate shooting. In June, Toronto police indicated that multiple shootings, including the March incident, might be connected to multilayered gun-for-hire networks that have also targeted synagogues in the city.