Third time is not a charm in shooting up a Toronto Jewish girls school.
It’s a crisis. Not just for Toronto. But for Canada as a whole. It’s not safe here for Jewish people. The truth has to be told.
Just call this a deadly antisemitic hat trick. How many times does Bais Chaya Mushka School for Girls have to get shot at before someone in government gives a damn and realizes there is a war on both this Jewish school and on Toronto Jews in general?
Three times? You read it right. This all-girls Jewish school was once again targeted overnight and fired on.
“Firearm discharge,” said Toronto Police in an X post. “Sheppard Ave West and Chesswood Drive” at “2:33 am at Bais Chaya Mushka Elementary School.”
Police said there was “evidence of a firearm discharge” with “no injuries reported.”
The Integrated Gun and Gang Task Force, “supported by Hate Crime Unit,” is “investigating.”
Police sources say five shots are believed to have been fired at this girls Jewish school. At least one penetrated the building. A witness told police a white car was seen fleeing the scene.
There are more details to learn. Video and damage to assess and questions to answer.
But this is a familiar address for police.
May 25 was the first shooting there, followed by the second one Oct. 12. That one came right in the middle of Yom Kippur. This one is on the eve of Hanukkah.
In the October one, windows were shot out and there was a lot of damage. In the first one, a video showed gunmen firing at the school.
The last one saw the arrest of an adult and a youth who were charged. Police were investigating if there was a connection between the accused and the first shooting but have so far not indicated there was.
But now that there has been a third shooting, this is clearly a conspiracy that needs a special task force to determine who is behind it. It has to happen before somebody gets hurt or killed.
The damage is still being assessed and this story will be updated as the day goes on. Police say Supt. Paul MacIntyre will update the situation at 12:30 p.m.
There was success in laying charges last time. It took a few days and police were able to make arrests.
Deputy Chief Robert Johnson went on television and said, “I’m pleased to announce the arrest of two individuals in connection with the incident that took place at Bais Chaya Mushka Elementary School on Saturday, Oct. 12,” Johnson said. “Both males face multiple charges, including unauthorized possession of a loaded firearm — a Glock handgun modified to become fully automatic.
“While I can’t share details on the motivation behind this incident due to the ongoing investigation, we are thoroughly exploring why these two individuals (allegedly) committed these crimes and any connections to the previous shooting incident at this school on May 25, 2024.”
It’s too early to say how this case will unfold. But what is known is this is an untenable situation. The constant attack on Jews in the GTA is now at a level that is bordering on all out anarchy and chaos.
It has been open season on Jewish people ever since Oct. 7, 2023 and there has been little answer to combat it. It keeps happening.
On Thursday, Waterloo Regional Police told the Toronto Sun they are investigating a disturbing video on social media from an account of a Cambridge man in which he said as part of a “free Palestine” rant that “we’re coming, you won’t be able to handle all of this … because we are going to get you for all those dead babies you F****** pieces of sh..”
There is no proof there is any connection from that video to this incident or any others but it offers a view of how open the hatred is among some people.
“His sickening, shameful and alarming rant not only threatens the lives of Canadians but our very way of life,” said B’nai Brith director of research and advocacy Richard Robertson. “What is becoming of our nation?”
The elected leaders are letting the Jewish community down.
Hate is hate and danger is danger. And there should be no tolerating it here.
A strong message has to be sent by the prime minister, premier and mayor. Not just words. Action.
No bail, hate crimes charges, long jail sentences and if necessary, an emergencies act declaration to protect this school and others.
And do it now.