A youth who pleaded guilty to shooting at two synagogues in the Toronto area has been sentenced to two years in a custodial facility followed by one year of community supervision, York Regional Police Chief Paulo Da Silva says.

The sentence was handed down Tuesday, according to a Canadian Press report published by CBC. Da Silva said it represents the maximum punishment available for the crimes under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. The sentence also includes a two-year firearms prohibition and an order requiring the youth to provide a DNA sample.

The case concerns shootings at the Beth Avraham Yoseph of Toronto and Shaarei Shomayim synagogues in March. Both buildings were fired upon on the same night. The shootings left bullet holes and caused property damage, but no injuries were reported.

Da Silva said the youth pleaded guilty in November to several offences, including discharging a firearm at the two synagogues.

Police first arrested and charged the youth in May. At that time, investigators said they would not identify him because he was 17 when the shootings took place.

The incidents drew widespread condemnation. Police said they increased patrols around Jewish neighbourhoods and places of worship in response to the shootings.

Da Silva described the punishment as a “significant sentence,” saying it recognizes the “fear, trauma and harm these acts of violence caused to the Jewish communities in York Region, Toronto and in surrounding areas.”

The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs also welcomed the sentencing. In a statement, the organization called it an “important step toward justice for Jewish families across the Greater Toronto Area.”

Sources