Incidents at Kiva’s Bagel Locations Under Investigation

The Toronto Police Service’s Hate Crime Unit is currently investigating two separate incidents involving Jewish-owned bakeries in the city. According to reports, two locations of Kiva’s Bagel, a popular bakery chain with three locations in Toronto, were damaged overnight, with one incident appearing to be the result of gunfire.

Details of the Incidents

The first incident occurred at the Kiva’s location on Young Street and St. Clair Avenue West, where police received a report of a broken window that had been struck by gunfire. Evidence of a shooting was found at the scene, but fortunately, there were no reported injuries.

About 20 minutes later, police received a report of a broken window at the Kiva’s location on Bathurst Street and Steeles Avenue West. While the cause of the damage is still under investigation, it is unclear at this time whether the two incidents are connected.

Investigation and Response

The Toronto Police Service has assembled a team of investigators from the Hate Crime Unit, the Guns and Gangs Integrated Task Force, and divisional units to thoroughly examine the incidents and identify those responsible. The investigation is ongoing, and the public is encouraged to report any information that may aid in the investigation.

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow has condemned the incidents, describing them as ‘vile and unacceptable.’ She emphasized the importance of standing against hate and expressed her support for the Jewish community in Toronto.

The incidents come after a decline in reported hate crimes in Toronto last year, with a 48% reduction in hate-motivated occurrences compared to 2024. However, anti-Jewish occurrences remained the most frequently reported category of hate crime, accounting for 35% of all hate crimes and 82% of all religiously motivated hate crimes.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar has also spoken out against the incidents, expressing his concern and calling on the Canadian government to confront the ‘anti-Semitic violent wave’ facing the Canadian Jewish community.

The Toronto Police Service is urging the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the authorities. The investigation is ongoing, and the public will be kept informed of any developments.