Published
Mar 10, 2026 at 11:57 AM EDT
updated
Mar 10, 2026 at 06:41 PM EDT
Breaking News Editor
Canadian police are investigating after gunfire struck the United States consulate in downtown Toronto early Tuesday, an incident authorities described as a national security matter.
No injuries were reported.
Police said the shooting occurred before dawn at the heavily fortified consulate building near University Avenue. People were inside at the time, but officials said the structure’s reinforced design prevented bullets from penetrating the building.
“It is extremely concerning,” Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said. “We will use the full weight of our resources to ensure that the perpetrators feel the full weight of justice.”
Newsweek has reached out to the State Department via email Tuesday afternoon for comment.
Toronto Police Deputy Chief Frank Barredo said two suspects arrived in a white Honda CR‑V SUV at about 4:30 a.m., exited the vehicle and fired multiple shots at the consulate before fleeing the scene.
Barredo said investigators recovered shell casings outside the building and found damage to the exterior, but no bullets entered the consulate.
“There were people inside the building. However, this building is highly secured and highly fortified and there were no injuries,” Barredo said.
“It is very secure. The glass and the walls are reinforced, and I don’t believe there was any penetration into the building. It’s quite possible that people in the building would not have even noticed,” he added.
Police released an image of the white SUV but said no further suspect information was immediately available. Investigators said both individuals were directly involved in firing the weapon. Authorities emphasized it is too early to determine a motive.
“This morning’s attack on our Consulate General in Toronto is deeply troubling. I am very grateful that no one was hurt,” he said in a social media post. “Our work continues, we will not be intimidated,” Pete Hoekstra, the U.S. Ambassador to Canada, said.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police Chief Superintendent Chris Leather said the shooting is being treated as a national security incident, with federal authorities working alongside Toronto police to determine why the consulate was targeted.
Leather said security will be increased at the American and Israeli consulates in Toronto, as well as at embassies in Ottawa, as a precaution.
The RCMP has not indicated whether the shooting is linked to other recent incidents in the city or the Iran War.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford condemned the attack, calling it “an absolutely unacceptable act of violence and intimidation aimed at our American friends and neighbors.”
Ford suggested global instability may be contributing to threats against diplomatic sites, while stressing that police are responsible for determining motive.
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“This is my personal opinion,” Ford said, adding that the world is facing heightened turmoil. Police said they have not established any link to international conflicts.
The shooting comes days after two Toronto‑area synagogues were struck by gunfire, incidents that have heightened concerns about public safety and targeted violence.
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow said the consulate attack, following shootings at Jewish institutions, was deeply troubling.
“This cannot stand,” Chow said. “Toronto’s Jewish community has the right to practice their faith and culture and to live their day‑to‑day lives without fear, intimidation or violence.”
Chow said there was a heavy police presence Tuesday at both the U.S. and Israeli consulates.
Toronto is home to a large Iranian community, and the war in Iran has prompted repeated demonstrations outside the U.S. consulate, which is frequently a site of protests both in support of and against U.S. policy.
This article includes reporting by the Associated Press.
Updates: 3/10/26, 6 p.m. ET: This article was updated with new information and remarks.
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