Man, 23, facing charges for allegedly making antisemitic threats at students near North York school
A Toronto man is facing charges after allegedly hurling antisemitic threats to students near a school in North York last month.
On Jan. 24, at around 4:15 p.m., police said they were called to the Bathurst Street and Wilson Avenue area, located north of Hwy. 401, for threatening behaviour.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
Officers said the accused was walking near a school when he allegedly made several antisemitic threats to students and their families.
This Thursday, police arrested 23-year-old Mark Encarnacion, and charged him with uttering threats and causing a disturbance. The charges have not been tested in court.
Investigators are treating the incident as a suspected hate-motivated offence.
In data released in January, Toronto police said the number of hate crimes in the city soared by 42 per cent in 2023, with most calls related to reports of antisemitism.
Officers said there were 132 reported antisemitic incidents last year - a 103 per cent jump from 2022, when 65 incidents were reported. During that same timeframe, police said there were 35 reported hate crimes categorized as anti-Muslim, anti-Palestinian or anti-Arab, whereas in 2022, there were 12.
Police are asking anyone with information to call them at 416-808-3500 or Crime Stoppers anonymously.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
'Summer of discontent': Federal unions vow to fight new 3-day a week office mandate
Federal unions are launching legal challenges and encouraging public sector workers to file "tens of thousands" of grievances over the new mandate requiring federal workers to return to the office at least three days a week in the fall.
Watch fighter jet pilots pummel fake enemy ship off coast of Philippines
The United States and Philippines held annual joint-training drills just off the Southeast Asian nation’s western coast on Wednesday. Military forces sunk a 'mock' enemy warship – the BRP Lake Caliraya, which was a decommissioned tanker made in China.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his head more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
'Ozempic babies': Reports of surprise pregnancies raise new questions about weight loss drugs
Numerous women have shared stories of 'Ozempic babies' on social media. But the joy some experience in discovering pregnancies may come with anxiety about the unknowns.
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs to start for Canucks in Game 1 vs. Oilers
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs will start in net for the Canucks as Vancouver kicks off a second-round series against the Edmonton Oilers Wednesday night.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
TSB concludes investigation into cause of London, Ont. freight train fire
More than two weeks after a freight train with several railcars ablaze rolled through the heart of the Forest City, the Transportation Safety Board (TSB) has concluded its investigation.