Whitby man, 19, accused of threatening to shoot up synagogue in Durham Region
· Toronto Sun
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A 19-year-old Whitby man has been charged after allegedly making threats online to shoot at a synagogue in Durham Region.
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Durham Regional Police said its hate crime unit received information on Friday from an external law enforcement partner regarding threats posted on an online message board to carry out a shooting at a synagogue.
Police said investigators identified the user responsible for the messages, and carried out a search warrant on Saturday at a home in Whitby, where they arrested the man without incident.
Alexander Parfitt has been charged with threats motivated by hate.
News of his arrest came less than 24 hours after a shooting outside of a synagogue in Belleville , which left a police officer and the alleged shooter seriously wounded and sent worshippers inside scrambling for cover.
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Mayor ‘deeply disturbed’
Whitby Mayor Elizabeth Roy said she was “deeply disturbed” by news of the alleged threat.
“I know this news will cause fear and anxiety for Whitby’s Jewish community. To our Jewish friends and neighbours, I want to say clearly: You are not alone. Your community stands with you always,” she said in a statement posted on the city’s website .
“Every resident must be able to gather, worship and practice their faith safely and without fear. A threat against a place of worship is a threat against the safety and fundamental freedoms of our entire community.
“There is no place in Whitby for antisemitism — or hate, intimidation or violence of any kind. We will confront it, condemn it and stand together against it.”
Durham Regional Police said they have increased patrols around Jewish places of worship and community gathering locations across the region for the Jewish high holidays.
Cops are encouraging anyone with information about this incident to contact the hate crime unit at 1-888-579-1520, Ext. 5800. Anonymous information can be sent to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca .