Possible Terror Attack in Toronto

Threat of vehicle ramming attack near CN Tower prompted increase in police presence: source

U Haul issued an internal memo yesterday of an “OPP Counterterrorism Request.” Now U-Haul is forced to vet for terror.

Police in the Greater Toronto Area have increased the number of officers at key tourist locations, such as the CN Tower and Canada’s Wonderland, after receiving information that authorities deemed as a potential risk to public safety.

Exclusive: Toronto Heightens Security Over Potential Rental Van Terror Attack

Potential Toronto Terrorist Attack

The Premier’s Office was notified of the situation and issued the following statement:

EXCLUSIVE: The Post Millennial has just received an exclusive leak from an anonymous source that U Haul issued an internal memo yesterday of an “OPP Counterterrorism Request”. The memo cites “very limited” information but makes mention of a “tip regarding an upcoming attack using a rental vehicle in the next couple of days in Toronto”.

By Cosmin Dzsurdzsa, July 12, 2018:

The Post Millennial does have the full memo in our possession.

In the memo, the OPP asks employees to be “increasingly vigilant over the next few days to any suspicious rental activity in Ontario, especially in the GTA.”

Toronto Police Statement

Toronto Police gave a media statement at 11:30 AM, which did not provide any new information. The official did, however, advise the public to remain calm and continue on with their day as normal.

Toronto Police Respond

At around 9:00 AM this morning the Toronto Police twitter account issued the following statement:

CBC reporters and the public have spotted an increased presence of police around the CN Tower and the Rogers Center areas. Citizens are being told to keep an eye out and report any suspicious activity to local law enforcement.

Minister of Public Safety Ralph Goodale said Federal agencies have been notified but as of yet the RCMP is not involved in the investigation.

Update: The following screenshot is also now making headways online highlighting the police mission in the downtown area.

Threat of vehicle ramming attack near CN Tower prompted increase in police presence: source

Global News, July 12, 2018:

The threat of a potential vehicle ramming attack in the area of the CN Tower prompted police to increase their presence at a number of tourist locations across the Greater Toronto Area, according to a Toronto police document obtained by Global News.

The document states that Toronto police received “credible information” about a potential attack on Wednesday to be carried out the following day.

The police memo said it “has not received any information regarding a specific criminal extremist threat to the City of Toronto.”

It further stated that “a heightened vigilance in these areas for suspicious behaviour, including pre-incident indicators, may deter criminal and extremist activity.”

Re the threat in downtown Toronto, a police source sent this internal memo to @globalnewsto “On Wednesday, July 11, 2018, the Toronto Police Service received credible information regarding a potential vehicle ramming attack in the area of the CN Tower on Thursday, July 12th” pic.twitter.com/7DvXIXtQEY

— Catherine McDonald (@cmcdonaldglobal) July 12, 2018

Ten people were killed in April following a van attack on Yonge Street in the city’s north end. A 25-year-old man from Richmond Hill, Ont., faces 10 counts of first-degree murder and 16 counts of attempted murder in the incident.

Toronto police said in a news conference Thursday morning that they received information that authorities deemed as a potential risk to public safety but did not provided further details.

“We’re not going to comment on anything to do with the information received other than to say that it is information that causes us to determine a potential risk to public safety,” Insp. Michael Barsky told reporters during a news conference outside the CN Tower on Thursday.

READ MORE: Toronto boosts security measures for entire Blue Jays season, upcoming NBA, NHL playoffs

In a tweet posted Thursday morning, Toronto police said they received an “unconfirmed, uncorroborated piece of information.”

We are responding to an unconfirmed, uncorroborated piece of information relating to the GTA. As a result of this information, you will see an increased number of police officers throughout the city and, specifically, in the downtown core ^sm

— Toronto Police (@TorontoPolice) July 12, 2018

“I’m not going to comment on anything in relation to the information,” Barsky said.

“We commonly get this type of event where we enhance our police presence and today is not uniquely different.”

The CN Tower was seen Thursday with multiple cruisers surrounding the structure and adjacent streets.

VIDEO: Toronto Police won’t divulge source of information about possible public safety risk

A statement released by CN Tower officials said they were made aware of the unconfirmed information by police and are cooperating with authorities to ensure employees and guests are safe.

“Yes, we have been made aware by Toronto Police Services that they are responding to an ‘unconfirmed, uncorroborated piece of information’ relating to the GTA,” CN Tower director of sales, marketing and communications, Joanne Pawlicki, said.

“As a result, they will be deploying an increased number of police officers across the city, particularly downtown, and are closely monitoring the situation.”

VIDEO: Police beef up security around CN Tower

Authorities said the increased police presence should not deter people from enjoying the venues.

“We encourage everyone to come and enjoy all the venues that they would normally enjoy, down in this area and throughout the city,” Barsky said.

READ MORE: Concrete barriers set up at Toronto’s Union Station following van attack on Yonge Street

The Rogers Centre, which is situated next to the CN Tower, is expected to be packed Thursday evening due to the Foo Fighters concert.

Canada’s Wonderland, an amusement park in Vaughan, Ont., just northwest of Toronto, was also surrounded with an enhanced police presence.

“In conjunction with York Region Police, we are aware of unspecified and uncorroborated information regarding venues in the GTA,” Canada’s Wonderland director of communications, Grace Peacock, said in a statement.

“Canada’s Wonderland officials are working with York Region Police and continue to take their guidance on this matter. I can confirm York Region Police are onsite, but the park is still open to guests.”

VIDEO: Heavy police presence at Canada’s Wonderland