TORONTO — Toronto police are investigating after officers heard a firearm discharge early Monday morning outside the U.S. Consulate on University Avenue.Officers in the area of University Avenue and Armoury Street heard the shot around 4:45 a.m. and later located evidence of a firearm discharge outside the building at 360 University Avenue. A white sedan was seen fleeing the scene. There were no reported injuries and no suspect description available at the time.Police have not confirmed whether the consulate itself was the intended target. Part of University Avenue was closed to southbound traffic and pedestrians near Dundas Street as forensic officers processed the scene. More than a dozen police vehicles, including a forensics unit, remained on site through the morning..This is the second time this year gunfire has been tied to the same spot. On March 10, two suspects fired several rounds at the consulate’s front entrance before driving off in a stolen vehicle. Officers later found shell casings and damage to the front door and exterior. The RCMP called that earlier attack a national security incident.Investigators later linked the March shooting to what they described as “gun-for-hire” networks. Young people were allegedly recruited through encrypted apps, paid to carry out shootings, and told to film the acts as proof. Arrests followed, including 18-year-old Sheldon Tracy-Stewart and 19-year-old Zara Jabbi on charges that included discharging a restricted firearm and attacking the premises of internationally protected persons.After the March incident, Toronto police kept extra officers near the consulate. Those officers were among the first to respond Monday morning.Anyone with information is asked to call Toronto police at 416-808-2222.
