Toronto police have arrested three men, and its hate crime unit is investigating after threats were directed towards a Jewish high school in North York.
Authorities were called to the Community Hebrew Academy of Toronto (CHAT) just after 12:30 p.m. after reports were circulating online regarding threats.
Toronto police said three males were at the school and were told by security to leave the property. A short time later, threats were made “against the Jewish community” and directed toward a group of students at a nearby plaza.
Officers were able to track the three men down and arrested them. The hate crime unit is now looking into the incident.
Head of school Jonathan Levy said CHAT never went into lockdown and classes continued. He noted that the school will remain open on Friday with enhanced security measures in place.
In an email from the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, a spokesperson wrote that the online reports of attempted stabbings and violent acts are inaccurate.
“Police informed us that no one has been injured and no attempted stabbing has taken place. Verbal threats were made, and police are now on the scene, including Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw,” the spokesperson wrote. “An investigation of the involved parties is currently underway, with possible charges pending.”
The UJA said staff at CHAT reacted quickly and informed the police, leading to the three arrests.