Police investigating after shots fired at Thornhill gym displaying Iranian flags
Written by The Canadian Press on March 2, 2026
York regional police say they are investigating after multiple shots were fired at a building in Thornhill, Ont., that houses a boxing gym displaying pre-revolutionary Iranian flags.
Police say the shooting took place in the area of Yonge Street and Steeles Avenue around 3 a.m. Sunday.
Police would not say which business was targeted, but several videos and photos posted on social media show the shattered front window of Saliwan Plus boxing gym.
Iranian flags were displayed in the window and the front of the business.
The incident occurred after thousands of Iranian Canadians rallied in nearby Richmond Hill, Ont., on Saturday in support of a regime change in Iran, as the United States and Israel launched a major attack on the country that left its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei dead.
York police say patrols will continue to be deployed in the area including near faith-based institutions, community centres, schools and other public gathering places, with the goal of deterring any potential criminal or hate-motivated activity prompted by the conflict.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 2, 2026.
The Canadian Press