Police in GTA step up patrols near synagogues, places of worship after 2 killed in Washington, D.C.

Police in Toronto and across the GTA say they are stepping up their presence around synagogues and places of worship after two staff members of the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C., were shot and killed at a Jewish museum on Wednesday night.

Toronto police said they will increase patrols and have a visible presence at schools, community centres, and places of worship, in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

York Regional Police released a similar statement saying they will increase patrols in the Bathurst Street corridor over the next several days. 

"There is no immediate threat to our region and these patrols are in place to support all members of our community," YRP said on Thursday morning. 

Mayor of Vaughan, Steven Del Duca applauded York police for increasing their presence in response to the incident in D.C.

"We need governments at all levels to step up—less talk and rhetoric, and more concrete action to keep our Jewish residents and communities safe," said Del Duca.

Durham Regional Police also released a statement saying they will increase police presence at places of worship.

"We recognize the impact this incident has had, particularly on Jewish community members," they said.

Two Israeli Embassy staffers were shot and killed as they left an event at the Capital Jewish Museum in Northwest, a part of downtown Washington, about two kilometres from the White House.

Washington Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith said a man shot at a group of four people with a handgun, hitting both the victims.

The Israeli foreign ministry identified the victims as Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, a couple set to be engaged to be married.