Suspect wanted in alleged hate-motivated arson at North York synagogue, Jewish school

A suspect is wanted in connection with two incidents of alleged hate-motivated arson at a Jewish school and a North York synagogue.

Police were called to a fire at Bayview Avenue and Fifeshire Road just before 3 a.m. Wednesday morning.

Investigators say a person lit a sign on fire in front of a synagogue and fled the area on a motorcycle, westbound on Fifeshire Road.

Less than 10 minutes later, a person lit a sign on fire in front of a Jewish school located in the Avenue Road and Wilson Avenue area.

The school and synagogue were not damaged.

The suspect is described as wearing all black clothing, and riding a dark motorcycle while wearing a light motorcycle helmet.

Investigators believe the same suspect is responsible for both incidents and the incidents are being treated as suspected hate-motivated offences.

This comes as the Toronto Police say hate crime occurrences have increased 55 per cent over the last year. Antisemitism accounts for the most reported hate crimes than any other category with 45 per cent of the 273 hate crimes in 2024 being antisemitic.