In a disturbing turn of events, a gunman targeted the U.S. Consulate in Toronto on Monday, making it the second shooting at the diplomatic building this year, as verified by local authorities.
The crime scene revealed a solitary shell casing, and the building’s exterior suffered visible damage as a result of the gunfire.
Thankfully, no individuals sustained injuries during this alarming incident.
In an official statement, the consulate assured the public that “The U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Canada remain open and operational, although some routine services for U.S. citizens in Toronto are being rescheduled.”
Authorities responded swiftly to the shooting outside the US Consulate in Toronto, on Monday, July 27, 2026. (Photo by Sammy Kogan/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Deputy Police Chief Frank Barredo said there was a high-speed chase after the shooting that lasted an hour. However, no arrest was made and Barredo committed to continuing the search for those involved.
“We will approach this investigation with great seriousness,” Barredo said at a news conference. “We will bring the people responsible for this to justice.”
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow described the shooting as a “brazen attack.”
“I want to say to the person or persons responsible, we will get you,” she said.
This was the second shooting targeting the U.S. Consulate this year, with the first coming on March 10, when two suspects allegedly fired multiple shots at the building before driving away in a stolen vehicle.
Toronto Police Deputy Chief Frank Barredo at a press conference after a shot was fired at the U.S. Consulate in Toronto, on Monday, July 27, 2026. (Sammy Kogan/The Canadian Press via AP)
Sheldon Tracy-Stewart, 18, and Zara Jabbi, 19, were arrested last month and charged with multiple offenses in connection with the March shooting. The allegations have not been tested in court.
A police presence has been seen at the consulate since the first shooting.
Barredo said a patrol vehicle was outside the consulate with its lights on when the shooting happened. Two security personnel were also in the building.
Last month, police said they believed multiple shootings, including the one in March, could be tied to “multilayered” gun-for-hire networks that have also targeted Toronto synagogues.
Two popular Jewish-owned bakeries were targeted by gunfire over the weekend.
Police investigating after a shot was fired at the U.S. Consulate in Toronto, on Monday, July 27, 2026. (Sammy Kogan/The Canadian Press via AP)
Barredo said police had not ruled out a connection between Monday’s consulate shooting and the attacks on the bakeries. The motive for the consulate shooting remains under investigation.
“Investigators will follow the evidence to where it leads,” he said.
Doug Ford, the premier of Ontario, said he was “disgusted” by the recent violence in Toronto.
“I’m totally disgusted by the shootings and vandalism that took place in Toronto over the last few days, including at two Jewish-owned businesses over the weekend and near the U.S. Consulate this morning,” he said on X. “In all cases, active police investigations are underway. I expect all those responsible to be found, prosecuted and punished to the fullest extent of the law.”