Toronto police link dozens of shootings to 'gun-for-hire' network

Toronto police have linked dozens of shootings, including the March attack at the US consulate and assaults on synagogues, to a 'multilayered' gun-for-hire network. Chief Myron Demkiw said young adults and teenagers are being recruited on encrypted apps such as Signal, Telegram and WhatsApp and are paid to carry out attacks; shooters are required to film their attacks in order to get paid.

'Who is paying for this?' he asked. A veteran officer was killed during a raid tied to the investigation: Constable Marc Pinizzotto, 43, was shot as officers executed a search warrant. Police have charged 19-year-old Nicholas Bennett with first-degree murder; he remains in hospital.

Jayon Burgher and Sheldon Tracey-Stewart, both 18, face charges over some shootings, and officers are searching for 19-year-old Zara Jabbi, who is linked to the consulate attack. No one was injured in the March attack.

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