Toronto Police uncover guns-for-hire network behind synagogue and consulate shootings

Toronto Police Chief Demkiw says youth were paid to shoot at religious and political targets using encrypted apps. The scheme led to the death of Const. Marc Pinizzotto.

Encrypted apps used to recruit youth for shooting-for-hire scheme across Greater Toronto Area

Toronto Police have confirmed the existence of a coordinated criminal network that paid young people to carry out shootings at religious and political targets across the city, Toronto Sun Crime reports. The scheme, described as "complex" by Police Chief Myron Demkiw, is linked to at least 27 shooting incidents and the death of Constable Marc Pinizzotto.

Speaking at an emotional press conference Tuesday at headquarters, Demkiw said recruits were required to film their attacks as proof of completion before receiving payment. "Through encrypted messaging apps, young people are hired to carry out attacks against various targets and in order to get paid they are required to film their attacks," he said.

The apps allegedly used to coordinate the scheme include WhatsApp, Signal and Telegram, though RCMP Chief Superintendent Joe Matthews said investigators expect to find "many more." Matthews added that "multiple people are recruiting multiple people in each cell" and that the operation was driven by monetary gain.

Who is behind the network remains under investigation

Demkiw was joined at the podium by RCMP Chief Superintendents Jamie Zettler, Joe Matthews and Katherine Stephenson. He described the attacks — which targeted Jewish synagogues, schools, the U.S. Consulate and potentially GFL business and residential sites — as part of a "broader pattern" of criminals for hire.

The question of whether the network is directed by domestic or international actors has not yet been resolved. "Who is paying for this?" Demkiw said. "This is what we are trying to determine — including by working with our RCMP and FBI colleagues."

Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood Al-Saadi, 32, a terrorism suspect arrested by U.S. authorities last month, allegedly told officials that the March 10 shooting at the U.S. Consulate in Toronto and at least one of the synagogue shootings were directed by foreign terrorist cells. Demkiw said police "continue to follow every lead" on that assertion.

Two guns linked to 27 incidents, including officer's death

At the centre of the investigation are two firearms: a .45-calibre handgun believed responsible for 21 shooting incidents and a 9mm handgun linked to six more. Both weapons are alleged to have been smuggled from the United States. Police sources said the guns earned the network thousands of dollars in exchange for the attacks carried out.

One of those firearms is believed to have been used to kill Constable Marc Pinizzotto, 43, who was shot on June 11 while his team was executing a warrant to seize the weapon and arrest the suspect who allegedly fired it. The suspect, who remains hospitalized, is expected to be charged with first-degree murder.

Demkiw said Pinizzotto's death would not be forgotten. "We lost one of our own during this operation and Const. Marc Pinizzotto's service and sacrifice will never be forgotten."

Three new arrests; one suspect still sought

Three additional arrests were announced in connection with the alleged plot. Nicholas Bennett, 19, is expected to be charged in connection with firearm discharges on March 25 near Markham Road and Eglinton Avenue East, and on March 26 near Islington Avenue and Lake Shore Boulevard West.

Sheldon Tracey-Stewart, 18, of Toronto, has been charged in connection with the March 10 U.S. Consulate shooting. A loaded handgun was allegedly seized during a search warrant executed against him.

Jayon Burgher, 18, of Barrie, was arrested on April 15 by Halton Regional Police in connection with a firearm discharge targeting a residence in Oakville on March 29. He was subsequently charged by Toronto Police after being linked to the March 26 discharge near Islington and Lake Shore Boulevard.

Police are still searching for Zara Jabbi, 19, wanted in connection with the U.S. Consulate shooting. It is unclear whether Jabbi remains in Canada or has fled the country. Investigators have indicated he is not believed to be directly involved in Pinizzotto's death, and that surrendering could be in his interest given the potential information he holds about the network's operations.

Call for new federal charge targeting recruiters

Demkiw said he is pressing the federal government to introduce a new criminal charge specifically targeting individuals who recruit young people to commit crimes. He framed the need as urgent given the scale and coordination of the scheme uncovered.

"This is a complex, co-ordinated investigation involving multiple law enforcement partners and spanning numerous violent incidents across the Greater Toronto Area," Demkiw said. "It also underscores the very real risks our officers face every day while working to protect our communities from dangerous and violent offenders."

The chief also addressed the climate of fear the network has deliberately cultivated. "What I can tell you is we are still working actively to investigate who is responsible, who is orchestrating these criminal acts … to create a sense of fear in our communities including in the Jewish community," he said.

The investigation spans multiple jurisdictions and involves coordination between Toronto Police, the RCMP and the FBI. Authorities have indicated that the scope of the probe extends well beyond individual incidents, with the full structure of the network still being mapped out.

Source: Toronto Sun Crime