Suspect arrested after mayoral debate cancelled over alleged threats
The hunt is over for a man, 29, who allegedly threatened to shoot mayoral candidates
Author of the article:Chris Doucette
Published Jun 01, 2023 • Last updated 1 day ago • 3 minute read
A man was arrested after a person allegedly brandished a gun in East York and threatened to shoot mayoral candidates, leading to the cancellation of Thursday night’s debate.
Toronto Police said that officers responded to a call regarding someone uttering threats in the area of Mortimer Ave. and Greenwood Ave. Thursday at about 10:45 a.m.
“It is alleged that a man entered a location and made threatening remarks about shooting Toronto mayoral candidates,” Const. Victor Kwong said. “The man brandished what appeared to be a firearm.”
Junior Francois Lavagesse, 29, of Toronto was wanted for threatening bodily harm, carrying a concealed weapon and weapons dangerous.
Toronto Police tweeted Thursday night that a suspect was arrested and they would issue an update on Friday morning.
The threat was serious enough to prompt some candidates to pull the plug on scheduled public events, including the debate.
“Earlier today my campaign was made aware of a death threat made online towards my fellow mayoral candidates and me,” candidate Brad Bradford tweeted Thursday afternoon. “My family and campaign team are safe. Thank you to the security team at City Hall and Toronto Police who are keeping everyone safe.”
“My campaign will pause public events until the suspect is apprehended.”
Candidate Josh Matlow also took to Twitter to comment on the “serious threat.
“We have closed our campaign office until the police advise that the suspect has been apprehended,” he said. “I have also told the organizers of tonight’s debate that we will not be attending given the risk to public safety.
“Debates are a very important part of our local democracy and we will work closely with the organizers, and other campaigns, to reschedule at the earliest opportunity and when it is safe to do so.”
Candidate Mark Saunders also pulled out of Thursday night’s debate because of safety concerns.
Candidates Anthony Furey, Mitzie Hunter and Olivia Chow all issued statements about the threat.
“We strongly condemn any and all forms of violence, as well as any threats to the democratic process,” Furey said. “We will continue our busy schedule of canvassing and meeting with people across the city.”
“Thankfully no one has been hurt and we have complete faith that the Toronto Police will quickly and safely apprehend the person in question,” he added.
Hunter also thanked the police for their handling of the “credible threat” before explaining her campaign activities were temporarily on hold.
“Out of an abundance of caution for the safety of volunteers and the public, I have suspended the remainder of my campaign activities for today,” she said. “I will re-assess campaign events Friday, taking advice from Toronto Police Service.”
Chow acknowledged the threat was “unsettling” for those vying for the city’s top job.
“Like you, we are still learning more and I want to assure you that my family, my campaign team and volunteers are safe,” she said.
The threat ultimately led to the cancellation of the debate at OCAD Auditorium, which had been organized by the Federation of North Toronto Residents Associations and the Federation of South Toronto Residents Associations.
Police provided an update Thursday night saying the threats occurred at a public location and no candidates were present at the time.
“It was just a blanket threat,” Const. Alex Li told reporters, explaining there were no particular candidates who were specifically threatened.
Because it is an “ongoing an active investigation,” Li said he was limited in the amount of information he was able to reveal.
cdoucette@postmedia.com
On Twitter: @sundoucette
torontosun.com
The hunt is over for a man, 29, who allegedly threatened to shoot mayoral candidates
Author of the article:Chris Doucette
Published Jun 01, 2023 • Last updated 1 day ago • 3 minute read
A man was arrested after a person allegedly brandished a gun in East York and threatened to shoot mayoral candidates, leading to the cancellation of Thursday night’s debate.
Toronto Police said that officers responded to a call regarding someone uttering threats in the area of Mortimer Ave. and Greenwood Ave. Thursday at about 10:45 a.m.
“It is alleged that a man entered a location and made threatening remarks about shooting Toronto mayoral candidates,” Const. Victor Kwong said. “The man brandished what appeared to be a firearm.”
Junior Francois Lavagesse, 29, of Toronto was wanted for threatening bodily harm, carrying a concealed weapon and weapons dangerous.
Toronto Police tweeted Thursday night that a suspect was arrested and they would issue an update on Friday morning.
The threat was serious enough to prompt some candidates to pull the plug on scheduled public events, including the debate.
“Earlier today my campaign was made aware of a death threat made online towards my fellow mayoral candidates and me,” candidate Brad Bradford tweeted Thursday afternoon. “My family and campaign team are safe. Thank you to the security team at City Hall and Toronto Police who are keeping everyone safe.”
“My campaign will pause public events until the suspect is apprehended.”
Candidate Josh Matlow also took to Twitter to comment on the “serious threat.
“We have closed our campaign office until the police advise that the suspect has been apprehended,” he said. “I have also told the organizers of tonight’s debate that we will not be attending given the risk to public safety.
“Debates are a very important part of our local democracy and we will work closely with the organizers, and other campaigns, to reschedule at the earliest opportunity and when it is safe to do so.”
Candidate Mark Saunders also pulled out of Thursday night’s debate because of safety concerns.
Candidates Anthony Furey, Mitzie Hunter and Olivia Chow all issued statements about the threat.
“We strongly condemn any and all forms of violence, as well as any threats to the democratic process,” Furey said. “We will continue our busy schedule of canvassing and meeting with people across the city.”
“Thankfully no one has been hurt and we have complete faith that the Toronto Police will quickly and safely apprehend the person in question,” he added.
Hunter also thanked the police for their handling of the “credible threat” before explaining her campaign activities were temporarily on hold.
“Out of an abundance of caution for the safety of volunteers and the public, I have suspended the remainder of my campaign activities for today,” she said. “I will re-assess campaign events Friday, taking advice from Toronto Police Service.”
Chow acknowledged the threat was “unsettling” for those vying for the city’s top job.
“Like you, we are still learning more and I want to assure you that my family, my campaign team and volunteers are safe,” she said.
The threat ultimately led to the cancellation of the debate at OCAD Auditorium, which had been organized by the Federation of North Toronto Residents Associations and the Federation of South Toronto Residents Associations.
Police provided an update Thursday night saying the threats occurred at a public location and no candidates were present at the time.
“It was just a blanket threat,” Const. Alex Li told reporters, explaining there were no particular candidates who were specifically threatened.
Because it is an “ongoing an active investigation,” Li said he was limited in the amount of information he was able to reveal.
cdoucette@postmedia.com
On Twitter: @sundoucette
Suspect arrested after mayoral debate cancelled over alleged threats
The hunt is over for a 29-year-old Toronto man who allegedly brandished a gun Thursday morning and threatened to shoot mayoral candidates.