Toronto Police Investigate After Jewish Bakery Chain Hit by Gunfire
Sandego.net – Toronto police investigate after Jewish-owned bakery chain Kiva’s was targeted in coordinated attacks on Sunday morning. The Toronto Police Service’s Hate Crime Unit is examining whether the incidents at two locations are connected, with one shop struck by gunfire and another vandalized. No injuries have been reported in either case.
What Happened at the Kiva’s Locations
Police released an official statement on X confirming that one Kiva’s location sustained window damage from gunfire. Investigators later visited a second Kiva’s location where the window was also broken, though no bullet impacts were found. “At this time, investigators are examining whether the incidents are connected and working to identify those responsible,” police officials stated.
CNN has reached out to Kiva’s representatives for comment on the attacks.
Community Members Feel Targeted
Local residents who frequent the bakeries say the attacks have created a sense of vulnerability. One neighbor told CTV, “We live near the neighborhood, and this is where we come for our food, and we feel threatened and unsafe,” adding that she believes her community is being targeted.
“Even as residents described feeling shaken, she said the people who run the bakeries ‘have lots of people that are looking after them right now.'” — CTV Resident
Marjan Mekis, a daily visitor for his traditional Danish pastry, called the attack “beyond sad.” “It feels very personal to me,” Mekis said. “I could have been in there, or anybody in this neighborhood. It could have been daytime as opposed to nighttime. Thank God no one was in there. But still, what does that do? Shooting a bullet into a bakery because you don’t like the fact that they happen to be Jewish.”
Rising Antisemitism in Canada
These attacks come less than a month after a tragic shooting in Montreal that intensified concerns about Jewish community safety. A gunman whose writings investigators believe promoted antisemitic, misogynistic, and anti-capitalist violence opened fire, killing two people: a police officer and an Israeli citizen described as a cherished member of Montreal’s Jewish community. The attacker was killed in a shootout with law enforcement.
Earlier in June, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney addressed a Toronto synagogue, declaring the nation is “failing” its Jewish citizens. During this speech, Carney committed to investing tens of millions of dollars toward enhancing security at houses of worship throughout the country.
Carney said over two-thirds of all religion-motivated hate crimes last year were directed at Jewish Canadians, with antisemites in Canada firing bullets at Jewish schools, attacking community centers and targeting Jewish-owned businesses.
The attacks on the Toronto bakeries reflect a troubling pattern extending beyond Canada’s borders. There has been a sharp rise in both antisemitic and Islamophobic incidents globally since the Israel-Hamas war began on October 7, 2023. This international context has heightened awareness for Jewish communities worldwide.
As Toronto police continue their investigation, community leaders are calling for vigilance and solidarity. The bakeries, long-standing neighborhood fixtures, now stand as symbols of both vulnerability and resilience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of crime are Toronto police investigating?
Toronto police are investigating whether the attacks on two Kiva’s bakery locations constitute a coordinated hate crime. The Hate Crime Unit is examining evidence from both sites to determine if they are linked.
Were there any injuries in the attacks?
No injuries have been reported in connection with either incident at the Kiva’s locations.
How does this relate to broader trends in Canada?
According to Prime Minister Mark Carney, over two-thirds of religion-motivated hate crimes last year were directed at Jewish Canadians. These attacks follow a Montreal shooting less than a month prior that also targeted the Jewish community.
What is Kiva’s?
Kiva’s is a Jewish-owned bakery chain with multiple locations in Toronto that has been a neighborhood staple for many residents.
