Crown Challenges Bail Release of Suspect in U.S. Consulate Shooting
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A Superior Court judge is reviewing the release of Zara Jabbi, who faces charges linked to a series of shootings and the death of a Toronto police officer.
A Crown prosecutor is seeking to overturn the bail release of 19-year-old Zara Jabbi, one of two suspects alleged to have fired shots at the U.S. Consulate on March 10, 2026, according to Global News Toronto.
Jabbi was arrested on June 17, shortly after Toronto Police Const. Marc Pinizzotto was killed during high-risk raids conducted by the TPS Emergency Task Force. While Jabbi is charged with six counts—including attack on premises of internationally protected persons and discharge of a restricted or prohibited firearm—he was released on July 7 under house arrest with GPS monitoring. Due to a court-imposed publication ban, the specific reasons for his release cannot be reported.
Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw previously stated that search warrants linked to the investigation recovered a .45-caliber handgun and a 9 mm handgun, both originating from the U.S. Demkiw noted that the .45-caliber weapon is linked to at least 21 shooting incidents in the Greater Toronto Area, while the 9 mm is linked to at least six. Police allege these crimes are part of a "gun for hire" network where youth are paid to commit and film shootings.
Other principals involved include 18-year-old Sheldon Tracey-Stewart, a co-accused in the consulate shooting who remains in custody, and Nicolas Bennett, who remains in custody facing first-degree murder charges for the killing of Const. Pinizzotto.
The investigation is being led by the TPS Integrated Gun and Gang Task Force with support from the Counter-Terrorism Security Unit, while the RCMP and the Integrated National Security Enforcement Team (INSET) are treating the matter as a "national security incident." Superior Court Justice Heather McArthur is scheduled to deliver a decision on the bail review this Thursday.