City and federal officers in Toronto are searching for an individual who fired a bullet at the U.S. Consulate building on University Avenue early Monday morning before fleeing and escaping from a high-speed pursuit.
The individual was called "brazen" by several officers at a Monday press briefing, primarily because the shooting occurred despite police presence at the building, which has been the case since it was hit with gunfire in March.
A police cruiser, with lights flashing, did not deter the individual, who fired one round in the facade of the building before speeding away in a white Honda Accord with no license plates.
The officer on the scene engaged in pursuit, according to Toronto Police Services Deputy Chief Frank Barredo, and the chase entered onto the Don Valley Parkway, where speeds in excess of 140 kilometers per hour (87 mph). Barredo said protocols prohibit officers from continuing to engage in a pursuit when those speeds are reached out of precaution for public safety. He also said aerial support was not available, but that all units are coordinating efforts to locate the vehicle and the suspect.
RCMP Superintendent Jonathan Ko called it "another troubling incident," but said it is too early to determine motive.
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow spoke directly to the perpetrator, saying "we will get you, and you will be held accountable." She reference the three arrests made earlier this summer, which included two suspects accused for firing at the Consulate.
Monday's shooting caps off another weekend with gunfire in Toronto, as police are also investigating two separate shooting incidents at locations of a Jewish bakery.
Shots damaged storefronts on both Steeles Avenue West and St. Clair Avenue West about one hour apart from each other in the hours between late Saturday and early Sunday.
Barredo said he would not rule out any possible connections between the shootings over the weekend and Monday's incident at the Consulate.
No injures have been reported in any of the three.
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