Gun-for-hire networks linked to Toronto shootings, including US Consulate and synagogue targets

Police in Canada said on Tuesday they linked several shootings in Toronto. The cases included gunfire at the US Consulate in Toronto in March. Investigators said the attacks connected to layered gun-for-hire networks. Police said the same networks also targeted synagogues in the city.

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Toronto police Chief Myron Demkiw said young adults were being hired for the shootings. Demkiw said the recruits were contacted through encrypted messages. Demkiw added that the networks paid them after they filmed the attacks. Some guns used in the incidents were later seized by investigators.

Toronto shootings linked to gun-for-hire networks

Demkiw said police believed outside organisers were using local criminals. Demkiw said those organisers aimed to spread fear across communities. Demkiw also said the Jewish community was among the targets. "What we know is bad actors are using criminal elements in our city to carry out these dangerous incidents,\" Demkiw said.

Demkiw said police were still trying to identify the source of payments. Toronto police were working with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the FBI. Demkiw said the agencies were focusing on who funded the attacks. Ballistics checks and other forensic work were continuing, Demkiw said.

US Consulate shooting in Toronto and firearm trail

Demkiw said investigators recovered two firearms during the probe. Demkiw said those guns were believed linked to more than 25 shootings. The shootings took place across the Toronto area, Demkiw said. Demkiw said the two weapons originated in the United States. Ballistics testing was still ongoing.

A police raid tied to the investigation turned deadly last week. Constable Marc Pinizzotto, 43, was shot on Thursday. Officers were carrying out a search at an apartment building. The location was in the citys northwest. Pinizzotto later died in the hospital.

Toronto police investigation and suspects named

Police shot a suspect during the raid, Demkiw said. The suspect was 19-year-old Nicholas Bennett, who remained in hospital. Police said Bennett would be charged with first-degree murder. Investigators were also searching for 19-year-old Zara Jabbi. Police said Jabbi was wanted over the US Consulate shooting.

Police said Zara Jabbi was believed to be armed and dangerous. Demkiw said investigators were still mapping links across the network. Police said seized firearms could help connect more incidents. Officials said the inquiry remained active with Canadian and US agencies involved. Police said the work aimed to reduce fear across affected communities.

With inputs from PTI