Toronto police link dozens of shootings to ‘multilayered’ gun-for-hire network
Young adults and teens are being recruited through apps like Telegram and paid to carry out attacks, officials say
TL;DR
- Toronto police have identified a multilayered gun-for-hire network responsible for numerous shootings.
- The network recruits young adults and teenagers through encrypted messaging apps like Signal, Telegram, and WhatsApp.
- Shooters are paid to carry out attacks and must film them as proof of completion.
- The network is linked to an attack on the US consulate and attacks on synagogues and Jewish schools.
- A Toronto police officer was killed during a raid connected to these shootings.
- Several teenagers have been charged in connection with the incidents, and police are searching for others.
- Two handguns seized could be connected to 27 separate shootings, suggesting guns are passed between shooters.
- Investigators are collaborating with the FBI and considering possible links to global terror networks.
- The motive behind some attacks appears to be the creation of fear within communities, particularly the Jewish community.