Gunshots reported outside US consulate in Toronto, Canada; police probing incident
Police in Canada are investigating after gunshots were reported at the US consulate in Toronto, though no injuries were reported. The incident comes days after a suspected improvised explosive device damaged the US embassy entrance in Oslo, Norway, where police are still searching for the suspect.
Canadian police on Tuesday (local time) launched an investigation after gunshots were reported at the US consulate in Toronto. Authorities said they found evidence indicating that a firearm had been discharged, but no injuries were reported, The Guardian reported.
In a social media post, Toronto police said they responded to reports of shots at 5.29 AM (0929 GMT).
Second attack in two days
The incident comes days after an explosion of an improvised device explosion was reported at the US embassy in Oslo, Norway, on 8 March. Reports suggested that the Norwegian police were still on the lookout for a suspect, with a possible link to the Iran war being examined as part of the investigation.
On Monday, the Norwegian police released two photographs of the suspect, whom they believed was responsible for the attack that led to minor damage. The suspect's face was not clearly visible from the grainy surveillance footage.
However, the authorities said the individual was wearing dark-coloured clothing and a hood, and was carrying a backpack. The Norwegian police said they believe the person planted an improvised explosive device (IED) near the entrance of the embassy. “The individual has not yet been identified, and we currently have no specific suspects,” police said in a statement.
New York City Mayor's official residence targeted
In a separate incident, the New York City mayor's official residence, Gracie Mansion, was targeted on Saturday after two groups held counterprotests. Two men have been charged with terrorism after throwing a homemade bomb at anti-Islam protesters over the weekend.
On 7 March, two groups staged protests close to Mamdani's official residence. A conservative influencer, Jake Lang, organised the anti-Islam protest "Stop the Islamic Takeover of New York City, Stop New York City Public Muslim Prayer." One of the protestors used pepper spray on the members of the counter demonstrations, titled “Run the Nazis out of New York City, Stand Against Hate”.
After a member of Lang's group used the pepper spray, another group ignited two suspicious devices, throwing them in the direction of the area where Lang's group was staging demonstrations. One of these suspicious devices was dropped on East End Avenue, closer to Mamdani's residence, who was inside the residence at the time of the incident. However, New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said that no injuries were reported, and both Mamdani and his wife, Rama Duwaji, were safe.
About the Author
Swati Gandhi is a digital journalist with over four years of experience, specialising in international and geopolitical issues. Her work focuses on foreign policy, global power shifts, and the political and economic forces shaping international relations, with a particular emphasis on how global developments affect India. She approaches journalism with a strong belief in context-driven reporting, aiming to break down complex global events into clear, accessible narratives for a wide readership.<br><br> Previously, Swati has worked at Business Standard, where she covered a range of beats including national affairs, politics, and business. This diverse newsroom experience helped her build a strong grounding in reporting, while also strengthening her ability to work across both breaking news and in-depth explanatory stories. Covering multiple beats early in her career has helped her be informed about her current work, allowing her to connect domestic developments with wider international trends.<br><br> At Live Mint, she focuses on international and geopolitical issues through a business and economic lens, examining how global political developments, foreign policy decisions, and power shifts impact markets, industries, and India’s strategic and economic interests.<br><br> She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English (Honours) from the University of Delhi and a Master’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University. Her academic training has shaped her emphasis on precision, analytical rigour, and clarity in writing. Her interests include global political economy and the intersection of geopolitics with business.<br><br> Outside work, Swati focuses on exploring her passion and love for food. From fancy cafes to street spots, Swati explores food like a true foodie.