Montreal Police Open Hate-Crimes Probe After Pellet Attack on Westmount Synagogue
Several rear windows at Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom were pierced overnight; no one was hurt, but the congregation says the act “cannot be separated” from a wider climate of rising antisemitism.
MONTREAL — Montreal police have opened a hate-crimes investigation after several rear windows at Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom in Westmount were struck by what investigators believe were pellets from a pellet or air gun overnight Thursday into Friday, October 30, 2026. No injuries were reported, and police said no one was believed to have been inside the synagogue at the time.[1][2]
What happened
- The damage was discovered at approximately 11 a.m. Friday after someone at the synagogue contacted Montreal police; investigators believe the windows were struck during the preceding night.[1]
- Several rear windows were found pierced with small, round holes rather than shattered. Police spokesperson Manuel Couture said the nature of the damage led investigators to believe a pellet gun was used, although the exact circumstances remain under investigation.[1]
- No suspect has been identified, and police have not confirmed a motive. The investigation has been assigned to the hate-crimes unit because the targeted location is a place of worship.[1]
- Rabbi Lisa Grushcow said the synagogue’s executive director noticed the damage upon arriving for a meeting; the pellets did not penetrate the building and no one was hurt.[1]
Prior incidents
This is the third reported targeting of Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom in less than two years. In February 2025, a swastika was spray-painted on the building. In June 2026, a 38-year-old man was arrested and charged after an attempted arson in which a window was broken and an incendiary attempt was made at the synagogue; no one was injured in that incident.[1][3][4]
Community response
Rabbi Grushcow said the congregation would proceed with Shabbat services as scheduled and continue its work building bridges between communities. She stated that, while the motive was not yet known, the act appeared deliberate and could not be separated from a broader context of rising radicalization and antisemitism.[1]
The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs and Federation CJA jointly condemned the incident.
“Enough is enough, this must stop. The Montreal Jewish community is fed up with fearing for its safety and that of its children.”— CIJA and Federation CJA joint statement
Jewish community organizations also said that, based on available information, there was no active threat to the community, while urging members to report suspicious activity.[2]
Status of investigation
As of the latest reporting, the incident remains under investigation. Police have not identified a suspect, confirmed the precise weapon, or established whether the act was motivated by antisemitism; the hate-crimes designation reflects that a house of worship was targeted and that the matter is being examined for possible hate motivation.[1][5]
Report suspicious activity. Community organizations urge anyone with information about the incident to contact Montreal police.
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