Toronto man charged after allegedly threatening people he ‘perceived to be Palestinian’: police

Toronto police cruiser is pictured in this undated photo.

A 32-year-old man from Toronto is facing several charges in connection with a hate-motivated threatening incident in Scarborough over the weekend.

Toronto police say on June 5, 2026, they were called to the area of Lawrence Avenue East and Pharmacy Avenue for reports of unknown trouble.

Investigators allege a male attended a business in that area and uttered threats at victims whom he “perceived to be Palestinian.”

The suspect, according to police, had a weapon.

Shafik Al Jawhari, 32, of Toronto, was subsequently arrested and charged with one count each of assault with a weapon, weapons dangerous, and fail to comply probation order as well as two counts of uttering threats to cause death. The charges have not been proven in court.

He was scheduled to appear in bail court on June 6.

“This investigation is being treated as a suspected hate-motivated offence,” police said in a news release.

Anyone with further information is asked to contact Toronto police at 416-808-3500 or Crime Stoppers anonymously.