Shooting Incident Outside Ontario Synagogue Leaves Officer and Suspect Injured

BELLEVILLE, Ontario (AP) — A 29-year-old man armed with a shotgun opened fire on a police officer stationed outside an Ontario synagogue during Yom Kippur, resulting in a shootout involving as many as 30 shots, according to the province's police watchdog. The gunfire left the man with life-threatening injuries and seriously wounded a veteran of the Belleville Police Service, whose condition has stabilized as he recovers in intensive care. Kristy Denette, a spokesperson for the Special Investigations Unit, reported that nearby vehicles and homes were hit by bullets, although there was no forensic confirmation as to whether the synagogue itself was struck. Denette noted that the scene appeared to extend about half a block from the Sons of Jacob Synagogue. Preliminary evidence indicated that the man arrived in a truck around 7 p.m. on Sunday and fired at an officer outside the synagogue in Belleville, located approximately 110 miles east of Toronto. The officer returned fire before a second officer arrived and also discharged their weapon. Belleville police Deputy Chief Sheri Meeks identified the alleged shooter as Sean Ward, from the nearby city of Quinte West, and the injured officer as Const. Jeff Smith, a 13-year veteran of the force. About two dozen individuals were present inside the synagogue when the gunfire erupted. One of them, Douglas Lobel, described the incident as lasting two or three minutes and feeling like an eternity. Lobel stated that a police officer eventually entered the synagogue to check for injuries, and fortunately, no one inside was harmed. "This officer was a hero who saved our lives," Lobel remarked. Police have not yet established a motive or confirmed whether the synagogue or the Jewish community was specifically targeted. The SIU is investigating the officers' actions, while Belleville police are conducting a parallel criminal investigation into the man's actions and potential motive. Deputy Chief Meeks mentioned that the wounded officer faces a significant recovery process. Meeks acknowledged the shooting's impact on Belleville's Jewish community, especially as it occurred during Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. "Antisemitism, hate and violence have no place in our community," Meeks stated. The synagogue subsequently canceled its remaining Yom Kippur services following the incident. Police have increased patrols and their presence around places of worship but indicated there is no ongoing threat to public safety. Belleville Mayor Neil Ellis commented that it is too early to determine if the shooting qualifies as a hate crime, but noted that the timing and location of the incident suggest such a possibility. "We have a tight-knit Jewish community. We don't tolerate this in our city or across the country," Ellis added. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney condemned the shooting on social media, asserting that Jewish people must be able to worship safely and live openly. He stated that the federal government would support law enforcement in holding the perpetrator accountable. This shooting follows Carney's previous warnings about rising antisemitism in Canada, which he linked to incidents such as shootings at Jewish schools and attacks on community centers and Jewish-owned businesses.