Man who allegedly fired nail gun at Toronto-area protest motivated by hate: police

A man has been charged after allegedly firing a nail gun at a pro-Palestinian demonstrator and hurling obscenities at othersnear a synagogue in Thornhill, Ont., Sunday morning, York Regional Police say.

Charges were laid against the man on Sunday. Days later, on Friday, police said they believe hatewas a "motivating factor" in the incident. If the accused is convicted, they said "hate-motivated aggravating factors" will be consideredat sentencing.

The accused, a 27-year-old man from Vaughan, Ont., is facing several charges, including assault, assault with a weapon, possessing a weapondangerous to the public and mischief.

Police were called to Clark Avenue West and South Promenade around 9:45 a.m. after someone reported being assaulted with a weapon by a man, they said in a news releaseSunday night.

Officers spoke withwitnesses who said a man stopped his vehicle near pro-Palestinian demonstrators and began "shouting obscenities at them, while becoming confrontational with three of the protestors.

"At one point,one of the victims told police the suspect discharged a nail gun that he was carrying," the release said.

No injuries werereported, police said.

Officers said the investigation is ongoing. Police areasking anyone with information or footage to contact investigators or submit a tip anonymously to Crime Stoppers.