The Toronto Police Service are searching for a suspect who shot at three Jewish people with an Orbeez-type gun, which shoots gel beads — but with enough force to have caused minor injuries. The suspect was driving a blue SUV, and police have asked anyone with information to come forward.

The attack with the replica gun is one of the more bizarre incidents to afflict Jews worldwide.

The attack occurred Thursday, the day before Canadians mark Canadian Jewish Heritage Month, when Canadians recognize Jewish contributions to Canadian history and society and celebrate Jewish history and culture.

The attack follows on the heels of an attempted break-in at a synagogue and vandalism of a Jewish shop within the same week.

The Toronto Police Service posted a statement on its official website, saying, “The Toronto Police Service is requesting the public’s assistance identifying a vehicle in a suspected hate-motivated Assault with a Weapon investigation.”

The statement went on to describe the attack: It took place on April 30 on Bathurst Street and Lawrence Avenue; the attacker targeted visibly Jewish members of the Toronto Jewish community; the suspect shot at them with an Orbeez gun, inflicting minor injuries; and the suspect fled in a blue SUV.

“This investigation is being treated as a suspected hate-motivated offence,” the statement read.

The incident drew reactions from Jewish groups.

“On the streets of Canada’s most diverse city, Canadians are assaulted and shot at for being visibly Jewish,” stated the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs.

“Our country is facing a wave of violent extremism and radicalization — one that threatens more than a single community. It endangers the personal safety and democratic values of all Canadians,” CIJA said. “Confronting these forces requires everyone to stand up and demand action before we face the kind of loss of life seen in Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States.”

“UJA has been made aware of a violent attack against members of the Jewish community involving a weapon on Thursday, April 30,” UJA Federation of Greater Toronto posted on X. “While we are relieved that none of the victims were seriously injured, this reflects an escalation of antisemitic violence across the GTA.”

“There can be no ambiguity about the motive,” the group added. “These targeted attacks are intended to threaten our community and force us to hide our identity. It won’t work. We are resilient, strong, and determined to live our Jewish lives freely and openly.”

StandWithUS Canada also weighed in.

“The situation facing the Jewish community in Canada is escalating rapidly. It is critical that our lawmakers and law enforcement draw a hard line in the sand, now, before things deteriorate further,” the group posted on social media.

“Words are not enough,” the group added. “The psychological warfare of vandalism and property damage has now escalated to physical attacks on Jewish-Canadians in the streets. “It’s time for the pendulum to swing aggressively in the other direction, and for radical actors to be pushed back to the fringes of Canadian society.”