gun

By: Joel Goldenberg
The Suburban

A second suspect has been arrested for firing a gun at Yeshiva Gedola School in November 2023, a month after Hamas terrorists attacked Israel, killed 1,200 people and kidnapped 250.

The suspect is Feijhoo-Leito Joseph, 19, of Vaudreuil.

Numerous Jewish institutions in Montreal, throughout Canada and around the world, were attacked in the aftermath of the Oct. 7, 2023 massacre perpetrated by Hamas. Yeshiva Gedola, located on Deacon Road at the eastern tip of Côte des Neiges-NDG, was fired upon twice in late 2023, on Nov. 9 and 12.

Joseph was arrested the morning of Feb. 19 for the Nov. 12 shooting and has appeared at the Montreal courthouse. Last May, police arrested Mahdi Ahmed Abdirazak, 20, of Les Cedres, also for the Nov. 12 shooting. He was charged with discharging a firearm, theft and receiving stolen vehicles.

The SPVM investigation had continued after the first arrest “regarding the possible participation of one or more other individuals. Various elements collected by the team responsible for the investigation made it possible to identify a second suspect.”

A CIJA announcement welcoming the arrest provides more information, that the second suspect was arrested for discharging a firearm and theft of an Acura, as well as aggravating hate factors.

“While this is a welcome development, far more must be done to send a strong message that those who have sought to terrorize Montreal’s Jewish community since Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” the CIJA statement says.

The organization added that while it recognizes the efforts of the police that led to the arrest, “it is now up to prosecutors and the courts to ensure this case leads to meaningful and lasting change.

“A strong sentence will deter those intent on continuing this campaign of hate, which has resulted in violence, shootings, firebombings and vandalism. We will use every available tool to push this objective forward.”

Henry Topas, Quebec regional director of B’nai Brith Canada, praised the SPVM for the latest arrest.

“A strong message must be sent,” he added. “Those behind this cowardly act of intimidation against the Jewish community must be held responsible for their antisemitic acts.” n