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Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw speaks to media in Toronto. Sammy Kogan/The Globe and Mail
A gun-for-hire network is behind multiple shootings across Toronto, including at Jewish synagogues and the March shooting at the U.S. consulate, Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw said on Tuesday.
Toronto police worked with the RCMP and the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation in its probe, during which they recovered a nine-millimetre handgun that was allegedly connected to six shootings and a 45-calibre hand gun involved in 21 shootings, both originating from the United States.
Three individuals are facing charges after police executed five warrants in Toronto on June 11, including a raid that left a Toronto police constable dead, Chief Demkiw said at a press conference.
The Globe and Mail previously reported the raid related to the U.S. consulate shooting was linked to a wider probe into a network of shooters-for-hire.
Raid that left Toronto police officer dead tied to wider shooters-for-hire probe
A source with knowledge of the investigation said the network is also responsible for shooting buildings that belong to Canadian waste company GFL Environmental, as well as private residences and tow truck companies. The Globe is not naming the source as they are not authorized to speak publicly about this case.
American prosecutors previously linked the U.S. consulate shooting to an alleged Iraqi terrorist with ties to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps who was arrested in Turkey in May and remains in U.S. custody.
Chief Demkiw declined to comment on either the GFL case or the U.S. terrorism investigation on Tuesday, saying the investigation is continuing.
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Police gather by an apartment building on Martha Eaton Way after conducting a raid in Toronto on June 11. Sammy Kogan/The Globe and Mail
Police expect to charge 19-year-old Nicholas Bennett with first-degree murder in connection with the death of Constable Marc Pinnizzoto, Chief Demkiw said. Court documents, filed Thursday, show Mr. Bennett is also facing multiple charges in relation to two additional shooting incidents in March in Toronto, including discharging a firearm at or into locations “knowing or being reckless as to whether another person was present in that place.”
Mr. Bennett is still in hospital with multiple gunshot wounds resulting from his interaction from the police, Chief Demkiw said.
He is also expected to face six charges, including possessing an illegal firearm knowingly without a licence in connection a March 25 shooting at a high rise complex near Markham Road and Eglinton Avenue, Chief Demkiw said.
As The Globe reported Friday, Sheldon Tracey-Stewart, 18, was arrested for allegedly shooting at Toronto’s U.S. consulate and is facing 11 charges, including vehicle theft, illegal firearm possession and discharging a firearm.
On Tuesday, Chief Demkiw announced charges against a third man, Jayon Burgher, 18, after the raids. He was arrested by Halton Regional Police on April 15 for discharging a firearm at a Oakville residence on March 29.
Toronto Police later charged Mr. Burgher while in custody for discharging a firearm at a Toronto business on March 26. He is facing seven charges, including possession of a firearm or ammunition contrary to prohibition order and possession of a loaded prohibited or restricted firearm.
Toronto police said they were still looking for another suspect, 19-year-old Zara Jabbi, in connection with the U.S. consulate shooting, who remains at large. Authorities in the U.S. last month announced they had arrested an alleged terrorist in Turkey, 32-year-old Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood Al-Saadi, an Iraqi national who they said was behind 18 small-scale attacks and arsons in Europe.
U.S. court documents also allege he has claimed responsibility for two attacks in Canada – including the consulate shooting – since early March, in apparent retaliation for U.S. and Israeli military actions against Iran.
U.S. prosecutors allege Mr. Al-Saadi set up an online terrorist organization known as HAYI (Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya) while working with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to pay violent individuals in foreign cities to attack Jewish and American targets.
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