Suspect dies of injuries following shooting incident outside of Ontario synagogue on Yom Kippur evening

by AJNews staff

(AJNews) – A shooting took place outside of the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville, Ontario on Sunday night as Jewish community members gathered to observe Yom Kippur. The incident left one police constable injured but now in stable condition and the suspect is reported to have died from his injuries.

Deputy Police Chief of the Belleville Police Sheri Meeks says that a former corporal with the Canadian Armed Forces – 29-year-old Sean Ward – allegedly opened fire on Const. Jeff Smith with a shotgun.  The constable had been parked outside the Sons of Jacob in an unmarked police car at the request of the synagogue, as is the safety protocol at most synagogues across Canada.

In addition to injuring Smith and fatally injuring Ward, the ensuing gunfire left dozens of bullet holes in nearby homes, vehicles and one of the synagogue’s street-facing stained-glass windows, said the Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit. There were no other reported injuries.

Although the Police have not determined the shooting to be hate motivated, the synagogue leadership considers it to be a “hate crime.”

A member of the synagogue community told the Canadian Jewish News, “We believe we were the target,” he said. “We don’t have all the details, but it’s Yom Kippur. There’s obviously a good amount of Jewish people inside the synagogue. It’s an easy target. So we believe we were the target of this individual, but we don’t know for sure. But obviously everybody inside during the event was very, very frightened.”

He continued, “I mean, if… the police wasn’t there and the gunman got into the building, it definitely would have been a massacre. It would have been very, very bad…We had no arms, nothing. I don’t know if anybody could have tackled the guy.”

Deputy Chief Meeks characterized the incident as a hate crime in a statement she made at the press conference aimed at the Jewish community.

“We recognize the concern and uncertainty many may be feeling, particularly given that this occurred near the Sons of Jacob synagogue during one of the holiest days in the Jewish faith. Let me be very clear: Antisemitism, hate and violence have no place in our community,” Meeks said. “Every person deserves to feel safe when attending a place of worship, gathering with loved ones or participating in community life.”

The shooting incident elicited a quick response condemning the incident from numerous government officials including premier Doug Ford, Prime Minister Mark Carney, Mayor Olivia Chow and others. A strong reaction calling for increased security measures have been issued by Jewish community organizations across the country.

The police investigation is ongoing. Click here for more information about the incident.