Shooting Outside Belleville Synagogue on Yom Kippur

A shooting outside the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville, Ontario, on Sunday evening left a police officer seriously injured and the suspected gunman dead. The incident took place as approximately two dozen members of the Jewish community gathered for Yom Kippur services.

According to Ontario's Special Investigations Unit (SIU), the suspect arrived in a truck shortly after 7 p.m. and opened fire with a shotgun at Constable Jeff Smith, a 13-year veteran of the Belleville Police Service who was stationed outside the synagogue. Smith returned fire, and a second officer who arrived at the scene also discharged their firearm. As many as 30 shots were fired, with nearby homes and vehicles struck.

The suspect was identified as 29-year-old Sean Ward of Quinte West. He was critically injured during the exchange of gunfire and died in hospital Monday night, according to the SIU. Const. Smith remains hospitalized in critical but stable condition and faces a significant recovery.

No congregants inside the synagogue were injured. Following the shooting, the synagogue canceled the remainder of its Yom Kippur services. Police have since increased patrols around places of worship in Belleville and across the Greater Toronto Area.

Authorities have not officially confirmed a motive or determined whether the synagogue was specifically targeted. However, the timing and location of the shooting have raised concerns about a possible antisemitic motive. The investigation into Ward's actions and motive remains ongoing.

Reports also indicate that Ward previously served in the Canadian Armed Forces from 2017 to 2022, reaching the rank of corporal and serving as an infantry soldier with the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry.

The incident has drawn condemnation from Canadian leaders, including Prime Minister Mark Carney and Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who emphasized the right of Jewish Canadians to worship safely.

Sources: Associated Press, ABC News, Global News, CBS News, and the Ontario Special Investigations Unit.