Man wanted for allegedly firing shots at two Toronto and Vaughan synagogues arrested

An arrest has been made in connection with shootings at two synagogues back in March, a week after police released an image of the suspect.

An 18-year-old man wanted in connection with two synagogues in Toronto and Vaughan being shot at in March has been arrested.

Toronto police announced the arrest in an update on Wednesday, almost a week after they obtained judicial authorization to release his image.

While the suspect is an adult, police said they are not naming him, as he was 17 years old at the time of the two incidents.

The first one happened just before midnight on March 6 in the area of Clark Avenue West and York Hill Boulevard. York Regional Police officers arrived to see the front doors of the synagogue with gunfire damage.

Police said two people who were inside the synagogue at the time were not injured.

About 20 minutes later, Toronto police got a call for gunshots at a synagogue near Bathurst Street and Glencairn Avenue.

Police said officers discovered “damage to the synagogue’s front entrance consistent with gunfire.”

In Wednesday’s news release, police said the suspect is facing nine charges, including two counts of discharging a firearm into a place and two counts of mischief to property over $5,000.

Police said last week that investigators believe the suspect “did not act alone” but are still trying to determine how many other people may have been involved.

Toronto police Chief Myron Demkiw said the arrest was a result of his force’s partnership with York Regional Police.

“These incidents were a terrible act of violence against the Jewish community in our cities. The investigation remains ongoing,” Demkiw said in a post on social media.

Vaughan Mayor Steven Del Duca thanked both police services for arresting the suspect. He called the shootings and any incidents that target places of worship, daycares and community spaces “completely unacceptable.”

“I know the Jewish community has been deeply shaken by these acts, and it’s important for me to state clearly: in Vaughan, you are not alone. And we will do everything possible to make sure you are safe,” Del Duca said in a statement.

“The criminals who engage in this deplorable behaviour belong behind bars. They must all be held accountable.”

With files from Chris Fox