For the second time since May, authorities reported gunfire directed at a Jewish girls’ elementary school in Toronto. At approximately 4 a.m. today, the morning of Yom Kippur, police responded to a call reporting a broken window at the Bais Chaya Mushka Girls Elementary School. Inspector Paul Krawczyk briefed the press later in the day, revealing that further examination revealed the window, along with other sections of the school building, had been hit by bullets.

Krawczyk stated that there was no one present at the school during the shooting, and no injuries were reported. Additionally, no one in the surrounding area had heard gunshots, he noted.

At present, no information regarding suspects is being shared by the police, Krawczyk confirmed.

The hate crime unit is now investigating the incident, with Krawczyk highlighting the added significance of the timing, as the shooting occurred on Yom Kippur.

“We understand this is deeply unsettling for the Jewish community,” he said.

In the weeks following the May shooting, police have bolstered their presence in Jewish neighborhoods, according to Krawczyk. He also stated that their presence would be reinforced in the vicinity of the school as the investigation progresses, with updates for the community as more information becomes available.

Chesswood Drive is closed in both directions while police continue their investigation, according to a statement on X. Authorities are asking anyone with relevant information to come forward.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed his concern on X this afternoon, saying he was “disturbed” by the event and extending his sympathies to the students, staff, and parents who must be “terrified and hurting today.”

“Antisemitism is a disgusting and dangerous form of hate,” his post continued. “And we won’t let it stand.”

That same morning, City Councillor Brad Bradford also posted on X, condemning the attack on the Jewish school during Yom Kippur.

“Antisemitism has been allowed to swell in our city with no action,” he wrote.

Speaking at a food bank event later on Saturday, Mayor Olivia Chow called the shooting “horrific” and confirmed she had been in contact with the police chief regarding the situation.

“The Jewish community deserve to feel safe,” Chow said, emphasizing that antisemitism “has no place in this city of ours.”

At the same event, Premier Doug Ford condemned the shooting as a “disgusting act,” stressing that the individuals responsible “need to be arrested and thrown in jail.”

This marks the second time this year that the school has been targeted by gunfire in the early hours of the morning.

In May, police initiated an investigation after unidentified individuals reportedly fired at the school during a Saturday morning.

Following that incident, both community members and public officials gathered for a rally to denounce hatred and antisemitism.

Premier Doug Ford also voiced his outrage at the May shooting during a press conference, controversially suggesting that immigrants were to blame, despite there being no evidence supporting this claim.

Krawczyk confirmed today that no arrests have been made in connection with the May shooting.

{Matzav.com}