Toronto police have arrested a 19-year-old man and a 15-year-old boy in connection with the July shooting at the United States Consulate in Toronto. Police said Thursday that the suspects were recruited through an encrypted messaging app and offered money to open fire.
The July 27 shooting was the second at the diplomatic mission in five months. No one was injured in either incident, but police and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police have treated both as national security incidents.
At a glance:
- The latest shooting occurred at about 4:46am on July 27, when a single shot struck the front of the consulate.
- Police identified the adult suspect as Xen-Ul-Abdeen Syed, 19; the 15-year-old cannot be named under Canadian law.
- Police arrested two other men in June over the March 10 shooting.
- Investigators believe online apps are being used to commission shootings, homicides and arsons for payment.
| March 10 | July 27 | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | US Consulate, Toronto | US Consulate, Toronto |
| Police action | Two men, aged 18 and 19, were arrested in June | A 19-year-old man and a 15-year-old boy were arrested |
| Injuries | No one was injured | No one was injured |
| Investigation status | Treated as a national security incident | Treated as a national security incident |
What police say happened in July
Police said a white Honda Accord pulled alongside the consulate at about 4:46am on July 27 and one shot struck the front of the building. Officers briefly pursued the vehicle but ended the chase after the driver reached excessive speed.
Related coverage: Shots Fired Near US Consulate in Toronto for the Second Time in Four Months.
The shooting occurred despite a marked police cruiser stationed nearby. Police have maintained a visible presence outside the consulate since the first shooting.
Charges and the wider investigation
Police identified the adult suspect as Xen-Ul-Abdeen Syed. He faces multiple firearm, arson and stolen-property charges, along with a charge alleging an attack on the premises of an internationally protected person. The 15-year-old was also charged but cannot be identified under Canadian law.
Police allege the pair were involved in setting fire to a vehicle in a community outside Toronto three days before the latest consulate shooting. Chief Myron Demkiw said identifying who is behind the crimes remains a key focus of the investigation.
Police warning about encrypted-app recruitment
Toronto police said they believe the suspects were recruited through an encrypted messaging app and offered money to carry out the shooting. Chief Superintendent Joe Matthews said investigators believe shootings, homicides and arsons are increasingly being commissioned through online apps, with payment amounts varying by crime.
Police said people are hired to shoot at targets and record the acts for payment, although Matthews said that in many cases the recruits are not paid. Targets mentioned by police included synagogues, Jewish schools, a waste management company and the US Consulate.
Questions readers ask
Were there injuries in either consulate shooting?
No. Police said no one was injured in the March 10 or July 27 shooting.
Can the 15-year-old suspect be identified?
No. Police said the boy cannot be identified under Canadian law.
What happened in the earlier investigation?
Police arrested two men, aged 18 and 19, in June in connection with the March 10 shooting.
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