Police in Ontario’s Durham Region arrested a 19-year-old man suspected of threatening on social media to carry out a shooting at a synagogue in the area.
Reports of the arrest came just one day after a man opened fire on the B’nai Jacob synagogue while Yom Kippur services were taking place, during which a police officer was seriously wounded and a suspect was critically injured and arrested.
Police said they received information Friday from an outside law enforcement agency about messages posted on an online forum that included a threat to carry out a shooting at a synagogue in Durham Region.
Following an investigation, police arrested Alexander Parfitt, 19, of Whitby on Saturday. Parfitt was charged with one count of threats motivated by hate. He remains in custody pending a bail hearing.
Durham police urged anyone with information about the case to contact investigators or Crime Stoppers. Police also said they had increased patrols around synagogues and Jewish gathering places in the area ahead of and during the Jewish holiday period.
23 bullet holes in the window of Ontario's B’nai Jacob synagogue
Whitby Mayor Elizabeth Roy expressed deep concern over the arrest and charges, saying she was in direct contact with police and the leadership of the town’s synagogue.
“To our Jewish friends and neighbors, I want to say clearly: You are not alone. Your community stands with you always,” Roy said.
“Every resident has the right to gather, pray and practice their faith safely and without fear, and a threat against a place of worship is a threat against the safety and freedoms of the entire community.”
“There is no place in Whitby for antisemitism, hatred, intimidation or violence of any kind, and the town will confront and condemn them,” she added.
Roy thanked police for their vigilance and their continued efforts to protect the community.