Following on the heels of a shooting outside a Belleville synagogue on Sunday, Durham police on Monday announced they had arrested a man for threatening to shoot at a synagogue in Durham.
The suspect, age 19 from Whitby, is charged with: Threats Motivated by Hate, and was held for a bail hearing. Name and further details are available to www.drps.ca.
On Friday, September 18, members of the Hate Crime Unit received information from an external law enforcement partner regarding threats posted on an online message board to carry out a shooting at a synagogue in Durham Region.
Online Threat-maker Identified
Further investigation identified the user responsible for the messages, and on Saturday, September 19, a search warrant was executed at a residence in Whitby. The male was located in the residence and taken into custody without incident.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Hate Crime Unit at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5800.
DRPS has increased its patrol around Jewish places of worship and community gathering locations across Durham for the Jewish High Holidays (see below).
Deeply Disturbed: Whitby Mayor
“I am deeply disturbed by news from Durham Regional Police that a man is facing charges following an investigation into threats to commit a shooting at a synagogue in Durham Region,” said Whitby Mayor Elizabeth Roy.
“This comes as Jewish communities in Durham and around the world are observing the High Holidays — and are already shaken by a horrifying incident of gunfire outside a Belleville synagogue last night,” she pointed out.
The mayor said she has been briefed by Durham police and remains in direct contact with police and the leadership of Whitby’s synagogue.
Community Stands With You
“I know this news will cause fear and anxiety for Whitby’s Jewish community. To our Jewish friends and neighbours, I want to say clearly: you are not alone. Your community stands with you always.
“Every resident must be able to gather, worship, and practise their faith safely and without fear. A threat against a place of worship is a threat against the safety and fundamental freedoms of our entire community.
“There is no place in Whitby for antisemitism — or hate, intimidation, or violence of any kind. We will confront it, condemn it, and stand together against it,” said Roy.
Editor’s Note: Durham Post does not name or identify the accused as:
1. Of this time, they are suspect[s] and not convicted by a court, and
2. Sometimes charges are amended or dropped.
Earlier Story
Police to increase patrols at Jewish gatherings for holidays