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Gunfire at U.S. Consulate in Toronto Declared “National Security Incident”

Image: from Confidential Post X @TheCPostNews

By Open Chronicle Staff with Agencies | Tuesday, March 10, 2026

TORONTO — The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and Toronto Police have launched a high-priority joint investigation after multiple gunshots were fired at the United States Consulate General early Tuesday morning. Officials are officially treating the brazen attack as a “national security incident” amid heightened global tensions following the outbreak of war between the U.S.–Israeli coalition and Iran.

The Attack: 4:30 AM

The shooting occurred at approximately 4:29 a.m. at the consulate located at 361 University Avenue. According to Toronto Police Deputy Chief Frank Barredo:

  • Suspects: Two males exited a white Honda CR-V that had pulled up in front of the building.

  • The Weapon: Both individuals reportedly discharged a handgun multiple times toward the front of the structure.

  • The Escape: The suspects re-entered the vehicle and fled southbound on University Avenue toward Queen Street West.

Despite several staff members being inside the building at the time, no injuries were reported. “The building is highly secure and fortified,” Barredo told reporters. “It is quite possible that people in the building would not have even noticed that the shots were fired.”

“Zero Tolerance” for Intimidation

Prime Minister Mark Carney, who recently succeeded Justin Trudeau, condemned the shooting as a “reprehensible act of violence and attempt at intimidation.”

The incident follows a string of security concerns across Canada:

  • Synagogue Attacks: Three Toronto-area synagogues have been targeted by gunfire in the past week.

  • Diplomatic Security: RCMP Chief Superintendent Chris Leather announced that security is being immediately “beefed up” at all U.S. and Israeli diplomatic buildings in Toronto and Ottawa.

  • Global Pattern: The Toronto shooting occurred just two days after an explosive device detonated at the U.S. Embassy in Oslo, Norway, where Prime Minister Carney is scheduled to visit later this week.

Sleeper Cell Concerns

Ontario Premier Doug Ford took a more alarmist tone during a press conference, suggesting a link to international terrorism. “I believe that there are sleeper cells all over the world… they are in the U.S., they are in Canada here. We have to weed these people out,” Ford stated, referencing the “turmoil” currently happening in the Middle East.

Investigation Ongoing

Toronto Police have released a grainy image of the white Honda CR-V and are canvassing the downtown core for dashcam footage from between 4:00 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. The FBI and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) are reportedly coordinating with local law enforcement to determine if the attack was a localized hate crime or a directed act of foreign-linked terrorism.

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