Toronto police say investigators are probing two separate incidents that damaged storefronts at Jewish-owned bagel shops in the city on Sunday, and the cases are being handled by the Toronto Police Service’s Hate Crime Unit.
Authorities reported that two outlets of Kiva’s, a bakery known for bagels and other baked goods, sustained broken windows in morning attacks. At one location, officers say the window was struck by gunfire; the other site showed window damage but, according to investigators, there was no evidence of a firearm discharge.
Police confirmed there were no injuries. Investigators are working to determine whether the two incidents are connected and to identify those responsible.
What police have said
“At this time, investigators are examining whether the incidents are connected and working to identify those responsible,” police said. “There have been no reported injuries.”
Duty Inspector Scott Bradbury, speaking to reporters and captured on video by a CTV newsgathering partner, said the service recognises the community’s concern and has the resources needed to carry out a thorough investigation.
- Two Kiva’s locations damaged in the morning hours.
- One location showed damage consistent with a gunshot; the other had window damage without evidence of gunfire.
- No reported injuries in either incident.
Context and wider concerns
The incidents in Toronto come amid heightened anxiety among Jewish communities in Canada following a deadly shooting in Montreal nearly a month earlier. In that case, authorities say the gunman’s writings promoted antisemitic, misogynistic and anti-capitalist violence; two people were killed, including a police officer and an Israeli citizen who was described by community members as a well-known and cherished figure.
Government and community leaders have repeatedly warned of a sharp increase in antisemitic incidents since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war on Oct. 7, 2023. Last month, the federal government signalled heightened concern when the prime minister acknowledged that Canada was not adequately protecting Jewish Canadians and announced plans to allocate significant funding to improve security at houses of worship and community facilities.
Public data cited by officials indicates that Jewish Canadians have been disproportionately targeted in religion-motivated crimes. As such, attacks on Jewish-owned businesses are seen by many community leaders and law-enforcement officials as part of a pattern that threatens places of worship, schools and local enterprises.
Investigative steps and public safety
Toronto police did not provide a timeline for the investigation or say whether they had identified any suspects. Officers asked anyone with information, video footage or dash-cam recordings from the areas around the two Kiva’s locations on Sunday morning to come forward.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Number of sites affected | 2 |
| Injuries reported | 0 |
| Unit handling case | Hate Crime Unit |
Community safety organisations and municipal officials often urge business owners and residents to increase vigilance and report suspicious activity, while law enforcement steps up patrols and investigative resources when faith-based or minority-owned sites are targeted.
At this stage, the Toronto Police Service has framed the matters as under active investigation rather than as confirmed hate crimes. Determinations on motive, whether the events are linked and whether criminal charges will follow will depend on evidence gathered by officers, forensic examination and police interviews.
Requests for comment sent to Kiva’s by news outlets had not been answered by the time of publication. Toronto police said they will release further details as the probe progresses and encouraged those with information to contact investigators.
The incidents serve as a reminder of ongoing concerns about antisemitic violence in Canada and the challenges authorities face in preventing and responding to attacks on religious and ethnic communities.
