Toronto police announce 2 people arrested after gunshot fired at U.S. consulate

2 people, including a teenager, facing multiple charges after gunshot fired at U.S. consulate in Toronto

Building was shot at last week, the 2nd such incident this year

Two people have been arrested and are now facing a host of charges after a gunshot was fired at the U.S. consulate in downtown Toronto last week, police say.

Toronto police Chief Myron Demkiw told reporters at a news conference Thursday morning that one person was arrested Saturday, while another was arrested Wednesday.

Xen-Ul-Abdeen Syed, 19, is facing a total of 15 charges including possession of a loaded prohibited or restricted firearm, an attack on a premises of internationally protected persons, and flight while pursued by a peace officer.

A 15-year-old, who cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, is facing 17 similar charges, which also include six counts of failing to comply with a release order.

The chief told reporters that police believe the pair were offered payment through encrypted messaging apps to carry out the shooting — something investigators say was also the case in a previous shooting at the consulate back in March.

"There has been significant public interest and speculation in who is behind these crimes," Demkiw said. "That remains a key focus of our investigation."

Original pursuit called off after high-speed chase

An officer who was stationed near the downtown building on July 27 heard gunfire in the area around 4:45 a.m. that day, Toronto police previously told reporters at the scene.

The officer, who was stationed near the building as part of a regular patrol put in place after the first shooting in March, reported seeing a white Honda Accord with no licence plates speed away from the scene.

Police briefly pursued the vehicle on the Don Valley Parkway near Don Mills Road before calling off the chase due to safety concerns over excessive speed, investigators said.

Police said a single shell casing was found near the consulate, and the building's facade was damaged.

U.S. Consulate fired upon for 2nd time this year, police seek suspect vehicle

18-year-old Toronto man charged in U.S. consulate shooting

A spokesperson for the U.S. embassy said in an email last week there were no injuries, while thanking Toronto police for the force's rapid response.

The consulate was previously targeted on March 10, when two suspects allegedly fired multiple shots at the building before fleeing in a stolen vehicle. Two people have since been arrested and charged in that case, though those charges have not yet been tested in court.

Pair also linked to Caledon arson: investigators

On top of last week's shooting at the consulate, police are also alleging the two accused in the case were responsible for an arson in Caledon, Ont., on July 24.

Investigators say the pair were driving a stolen vehicle around 9:45 p.m. when they filled a red jerry can at a gas station in the Kingston Road and McCowan Road area in Scarborough.

They then allegedly drove to a residential street in the Queen Street West and Mississauga Road area in Caledon where they poured gas on a vehicle in a driveway and lit it on fire before taking off, police say. No injuries were reported.

During Thursday's news conference, Demkiw highlighted the importance of the federal government's controversial Bill C-22, which he said would provide police with the means to deal with "modern, digital communication" like encrypted messaging apps.

"If law enforcement does not have the tools needed to prevent violence that is planned and paid for through encrypted messaging apps, it ultimately is our communities that suffer," Demkiw said.

Adam Carter is a writer with CBC Toronto. You can drop him an email at adam.carter@cbc.ca.

With files from Ethan Lang and The Canadian Press