Toronto police say investigators have linked two seized firearms to at least 28 shootings across the GTA, part of what police describe as a growing “gun-for-hire” pattern where young people are recruited through encrypted messaging apps to carry out attacks and record them for payment.
Police revealed the details Tuesday morning, saying the shootings targeted several locations, including synagogues, Jewish schools and the U.S. Consulate. Investigators believe the weapons were passed between different shooters as part of broader criminal networks operating across the region.
GTA Shootings Linked To Two Firearms
Police said the two guns, a .45-calibre handgun and a nine millimetre handgun, were recovered after Emergency Task Force officers executed multiple search warrants last Thursday.
During those raids, Const. Marc Pinizzotto was shot and killed inside an apartment unit in North York. Police have identified the accused as 19-year-old Nicholas Bennett, who faces one count of first-degree murder in connection with the officer’s death.
Investigators said Bennett will also face charges related to two other March shootings tied to the seized firearms.
Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw said ballistic work continues.
“We are still doing ballistic testing and more arrests and charges could come at a later date,” Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw said Tuesday.
U.S. Consulate Shooting Under Investigation
Police have identified three men allegedly connected to the two firearms. They include 18-year-old Sheldon Tracey-Stewart and 19-year-old Zara Jabbi, who police believe were involved in the March 10 shooting at the U.S. Consulate. Jabbi remains at large.
The Integrated Gun and Gang Task Force is leading the consulate shooting investigation, with support from the Counter-Terrorism Security Unit.
The RCMP and the Integrated National Security Enforcement Team, known as INSET, are also running a parallel probe into what authorities describe as a national security incident.
Police said 18-year-old Jayon Burgher has been charged in connection with an Etobicoke shooting traced to one of the seized guns.
Encrypted Apps Used To Recruit Shooters
Demkiw said the consulate shooting fits into a wider trend police have seen in other incidents.
“What we are dealing with in this case and in other unrelated incidences, including shootings at synagogues and Jewish schools, is a recurring and similar modus operandi and that is criminals for hire,” Demkiw said.
“Through encrypted messaging apps, young people are hired to carry out attacks against various targets and in order to get paid, they are required to film their attacks. Who is paying for this? This is what we are trying to determine.”
Chief Superintendent Joe Matthews said investigators believe more than one network is recruiting young people.
“We do believe they go beyond the scope of Toronto,” Matthews said.
“The actual actors that are committing the violence are younger in age. In this case, we do not have any person who is a young person… but it is not lost on us that the younger people are being recruited,” he said.
“The sharing of firearms is common… We believe that the firearms are being swapped around.”
Matthews said communication between shooters and those hiring them happens through encrypted apps, including WhatsApp, Telegram and Signal.
“This is for monetary gain,” he said.
Demkiw said “bad actors” are using criminals in Toronto to create fear through violent attacks.
“It is clear that some of the people hiring these criminals want to create a sense of fear in our communities, including in the Jewish community,” he said.
Police said the investigation remains active, with more ballistic testing, arrests and charges possible as officers work to identify who is directing and funding the attacks.
