Police investigating suspected hate-motivated incident involving armed man at Jewish school
A 21-year-old Toronto man is facing a slew of charges following a suspected hate-motivated incident at a Jewish school in North York.
The incident, which Toronto police say appears to be an isolated one, happened on Wednesday at Yeshiva Gedolah of Toronto, near Lawrence Avenue West and Bathurst Street.
According to Toronto police, a man was riding his bicycle through school property when he was confronted by students for being on the property.
This individual reportedly returned a little while later and started yelling at the students. Police said he also made anti-Semitic comments.
School staff then confronted the man and a physical confrontation broke out during which a staff member was threatened and assaulted, police allege.
Kyle McLeod, 21, of Toronto, was arrested and charged with a variety of offences, including assault with a weapon. He is set to appear in court on July 28.
Toronto police’s Hate Crime Unit is involved and is investigating this incident as a suspected hate-motivated incident.
Uber has confirmed that the man charged is one of their delivery persons.
“We have zero tolerance for violence or hate on the Uber platform. We are looking into the matter and will take appropriate action,” a spokesperson told CP24.
According to the company’s community guidelines, all users are expected to treat each other with respect. Violence and discrimination of any kind are not tolerated.
Uber says it has a team of former law enforcement professionals who work with the police to respond to urgent needs and walk them through how they can help with investigations.
Jewish human rights group Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Centre (FSWC) for Holocaust Studies is decrying this latest incident of anti-Semitism.
"It is extremely troubling that a man with a weapon violently threatened people at a yeshiva and, even more disturbingly, yelled that he wanted to kill Jews. … and the perpetrator must face consequences for his disturbing actions," Jaime Kirzner-Roberts, FSWC's Director of Policy, in a May 26 statement.
Speking with CP24, Kirzner-Roberts said this incident is “very disturbing for the community,” especially because it targets children.
“We are really grateful Toronto police took control of this situation fairly quickly, that they did lay charges against the perpetrator,” she said, adding political and community leaders along with police need to develop a strategy together to combat all hate crimes.
“Now we can only hope that he is held accountable for the fear that he has left in our community’s heart.”
This incident comes as Toronto is reports a 22 per cent year-over-year increase in hate crimes, the majority of which are directed at the city’s small Jewish community.
"Such an attack comes on the heels of the Toronto Police Service's most recent annual hate crime report that once again showed the city's Jewish community as the most targeted group. Jewish students deserve to go to school without fearing threats and violence,” Kirzner-Roberts said.
Toronto Mayor John Tory tweeted about the charges laid in the incident, saying "antisemitism has absolutely no place in our city."
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-1300, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477) or www.222tips.com.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Pearson gold heist suspect arrested after flying into Toronto from India
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Justin and Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child together
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
B.C. man used Bobcat as 'weapon' while chasing away homeless people, judge says
A B.C. man has been convicted of assault with a weapon after using a skid-steer Bobcat to chase two homeless people from his lawn, injuring one of them in the process.
Debate on abortion rights erupts on Parliament Hill, Poilievre vows he won't legislate
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Miss Teen USA steps down just days after Miss USA's resignation
Miss Teen USA resigned Wednesday, sending further shock waves through the pageant community just days after Miss USA said she would relinquish her crown.
'Nobody should be getting away with murder': Grieving mother speaks out after son killed in North Preston, N.S.
A grieving mother is speaking out after her 36-year-old son was shot and killed in North Preston, N.S., Wednesday night.
Toronto-area dessert shop featured by Keith Lee forced to move after zoning complaint
A small Ajax dessert shop that recently received a glowing review from celebrity food critic Keith Lee is being forced to move after a zoning complaint was made following the social media influencer’s visit last month.