A police vehicle is seen near the U.S. Consulate in downtown Toronto, Canada, July 27, 2026. The U.S. Consulate in downtown Toronto was targeted in a shooting early Monday morning, marking the second time this year the building has been attacked, according to local media reports. (Photo by Li Haitao/Xinhua)
TORONTO, July 27 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Consulate in downtown Toronto was targeted in a shooting early Monday morning, marking the second time this year the building has been attacked, according to local media reports.
Toronto police said the incident occurred at around 4:45 a.m. local time. Because the building was previously shot at on March 10, a police security detail was stationed at the location. A duty officer heard gunfire and spotted a white sedan with no license plates speeding away from the scene.
Police initiated a high-speed pursuit of the suspect vehicle, but called off the chase near a major highway due to safety concerns over its excessive speed and the lack of aerial support. The shooting damaged the consulate's facade, but no injuries were reported.
Police previously arrested three suspects in connection with the March 10 shooting, describing it as a "gun-for-hire" scheme involving young individuals. However, police said it is too early to determine the motive for Monday's shooting or whether it is linked to the previous incident.
Meanwhile, Toronto police are also investigating a separate series of suspected hate-motivated attacks over the weekend. Two locations belonging to a Jewish-owned bakery chain were targeted within a day. One sustained damage from gunfire, while the other's windows were smashed. No injuries were reported in either incident. ■
A police vehicle is seen near the U.S. Consulate in downtown Toronto, Canada, July 27, 2026. The U.S. Consulate in downtown Toronto was targeted in a shooting early Monday morning, marking the second time this year the building has been attacked, according to local media reports. (Photo by Li Haitao/Xinhua)
This photo taken on July 27, 2026 shows the walkway outside the U.S. Consulate in downtown Toronto, Canada. The U.S. Consulate in downtown Toronto was targeted in a shooting early Monday morning, marking the second time this year the building has been attacked, according to local media reports. (Photo by Li Haitao/Xinhua)
A police vehicle is seen near the U.S. Consulate in downtown Toronto, Canada, July 27, 2026. The U.S. Consulate in downtown Toronto was targeted in a shooting early Monday morning, marking the second time this year the building has been attacked, according to local media reports. (Photo by Li Haitao/Xinhua)
This photo taken on July 27, 2026 shows a view outside the U.S. Consulate in downtown Toronto, Canada. The U.S. Consulate in downtown Toronto was targeted in a shooting early Monday morning, marking the second time this year the building has been attacked, according to local media reports. (Photo by Li Haitao/Xinhua)