Toronto police say dozens of shootings are linked to ‘multilayered’ gun-for-hire network

Toronto police announced on Tuesday that dozens of shootings, including an incident at the US consulate in March, are connected to a "multilayered" gun-for-hire network. This network is also implicated in attacks on synagogues within the Toronto area. Police Chief Myron Demkiw stated that "bad actors" are using encrypted messaging applications like Signal, Telegram, and WhatsApp to recruit young adults and teenagers. These recruits are then paid by the network to execute attacks, with proof of completion required in the form of filmed evidence to receive payment. The recruitment strategy targets vulnerable youth, leveraging digital platforms to facilitate criminal operations. The investigation aims to dismantle this complex network and address the underlying factors contributing to youth involvement in violent crime.