Third suspect charged in March synagogue shootings across Toronto and Vaughan
Chris Perreira, 23, of Barrie now faces charges in four separate shootings, including two synagogue attacks that occurred within an hour of each other on March 6 and 7.
The day's top stories, food & events — every morning at 7. Unsubscribe anytime.
York Regional Police have charged a third suspect in connection with a series of March shootings targeting synagogues in Vaughan and Toronto.
Chris Perreira, 23, of Barrie is now accused in four separate shootings across York Region and Toronto. The first synagogue shooting happened just before midnight on March 6 near Clark Avenue West and York Hill Boulevard, when gunshots damaged the front doors. Two people were inside the building at the time; neither was injured. Minutes after midnight on March 7, Toronto police responded to reports of gunfire at another synagogue near Bathurst Street and Glencairn Avenue, where shots damaged the front entrance. No one was inside when that shooting occurred.
The two attacks—happening within roughly an hour and targeting religious institutions—triggered heightened concern across the GTA's Jewish communities and prompted a joint investigation between York and Toronto police. Perreira had already been charged in relation to a March 25 shooting at a home near Clubhouse Road and Pine Valley Drive in Vaughan, and is now also charged in connection with a March 19 shooting near Steeplechase Avenue and Beacon Hall Drive in Aurora.
With Perreira's arrest, police say there are no outstanding suspects in the synagogue shootings. He faces numerous criminal charges, including two counts of conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, four counts of reckless discharge of a firearm, two counts of possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 and two counts of mischief related to religious property, among other firearm offences. York Regional Police say the joint investigation remains active and are urging anyone with information to contact their service.
How were the three suspects identified and connected across the separate shootings?
What motive, if any, has been established for targeting these two specific synagogues?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
The facts
Who was charged in the March synagogue shootings?
Chris Perreira, 23, of Barrie was charged in connection with shootings at two synagogues in Vaughan and Toronto on March 6 and 7.
When did the two synagogue shootings occur?
The first shooting at a synagogue near Clark Avenue West and York Hill Boulevard in Vaughan happened just before midnight on March 6, 2026. The second shooting at a synagogue near Bathurst Street and Glencairn Avenue in Toronto occurred minutes after midnight on March 7, 2026.
How many shootings is Perreira charged in?
Chris Perreira faces charges in four separate shootings across York Region and Toronto, including the two synagogue attacks and shootings on March 19 and March 25, 2026.
What charges does Perreira face?
Perreira faces two counts of conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, four counts of reckless discharge of a firearm, two counts of possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, two counts of mischief related to religious property, and other firearm offences.
