Shots fired at Jewish-owned restaurant in Toronto’s north end

Natalie Johnson reports from the scene where a gunman opened fire at a Jewish-owned restaurant on Thursday night near Avenue Road and Lawrence Avenue West.

Shots were fired at a Jewish-owned restaurant in North York early Friday morning, damaging the building but leaving no injuries.

Toronto police says officers responded at around 1:28 a.m. to reports of gunshots in the Avenue Road and Brooke Avenue area.

Police say bullet holes were found in the front entrance of the restaurant, noting that no injuries were reported.

In an email to CP24, officials said investigators with the Gun and Gangs Unit are leading the investigation and have increased patrols in the area.

Surveillance video obtained by CTV News Toronto shows a single suspect crossing Avenue Road shortly before 1:30 a.m., pulling out a firearm and firing multiple shots into the restaurant from outside.

The gunfire, as many as 14 shots, shattered the front windows and sent bullets into the interior, including toward a doorway leading into the kitchen.

The incident occurred during Passover.

The same business had also been targeted previously, with another location near Dufferin Street and Steeles Avenue struck by gunfire last month.

The shooting comes amid a broader rise in attacks targeting Jewish institutions and businesses across the Greater Toronto Area.

• WATCH: Three synagogues shot at less than a week apart in the GTA

“Antisemitism, Jew hatred. Call it what you want. It has been normalized in our community, and this is a perfect example of normalization, that people now think it’s okay to walk up to a Jewish owned facility, restaurant, any Jewish owned business, and fire at it,” said community member Sharlene Wilder.

In a statement, Israel’s consul general in Toronto warned of a growing climate of fear.

“Repeated targeting of Jewish individuals, businesses, and institutions is creating a climate of intimidation. Statements of concern are no longer sufficient. What is required now is enforcement, deterrence, and a clear demonstration that antisemitic violence carries consequences.”

Some Jewish community leaders told CTV News they are not speaking publicly due to the holiday, but plan to respond after Passover.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact police.