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A police officer was wounded in an exchange of gunfire Sunday outside a synagogue in Ontario as members of the Jewish community marked Yom Kippur, authorities said. Police identified the suspect as Sean Ward, 29, from Quincy West. The suspect was hospitalized with serious injuries after the shooting and later died, police said Tuesday.
The province’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) said the shooting happened near the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville, Ontario, about 110 miles east of Toronto. Belleville police said the officer, who was stationed outside of the synagogue, encountered the man around 7:10 p.m. local time.
Police have not said what led to the shooting or whether the synagogue or Jewish community was targeted, However, asked whether the shooting was premeditated and could potentially be considered an act of terrorism against the Jewish community, SIU spokesperson Kristy Denette said at a news conference Monday that “common sense would say that probably is the case.”
Denette said investigators believe the gunman traveled in the area by truck and discharged his shogun at a police officer, who returned fire. A second officer later arrived at the scene and discharged a firearm, too, according to the spokesperson, who estimated 20 or 30 bullets were fired in total. Some homes and vehicles were hit, Denette said. She couldn’t confirm whether the synagogue was struck, too.
The synagogue’s president, Norman Weddum, told CBC News Network he was ushering people into the sanctuary to begin services when he heard gunfire.
“I could say, ‘Oh, this is definitely someone … shooting here,'” he told the outlet. “So that’s when we ran back into the auditorium of the synagogue, closed the doors behind us so as to not leave a visible target. And we hit the floor.”
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said in a post on social media that he was “disgusted by the shooting” and that Jewish people “have every right to gather and worship safely and without fear.”
“My thoughts are also with the police officer who was shot, along with their family and loved ones,” Ford said.
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow also condemned the violence.
“Jewish Torontonians should not need police presence to observe Yom Kippur, or to simply live their day-to-day lives,” she said on social media. “As long as we contend with rising antisemitism and hate, we will spare no expense keeping the community safe.”
York Regional Police said there was no known threat in the region but residents should expect increased patrols at places of worship.
Prime Minister Mark Carney said Monday, “Jewish people must be able to worship safely. To live free, open, proud Jewish lives.”
“Canada’s government will do everything in our power to support law enforcement in ensuring that the perpetrator is held accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” he said on X.
“My thoughts are with the injured officer and his family, and the entire Jewish community,” he added.
Carney previously warned that Canada was failing its Jewish community amid a surge in antisemitism. He cited shootings at Jewish schools, firebombings of synagogues and attacks on community centers and Jewish-owned businesses. His government announced millions in additional funding to help faith-based institutions pay for security infrastructure, training and personnel.
Synagogues in the Toronto area have also previously been targeted by gunfire. In March, shots damaged the entrances of synagogues in Vaughan and Toronto. No one was injured. Police later arrested three suspects in connection with those shootings.
Earlier this month, a Michigan synagogue reopened in time for the Jewish High Holidays, six months after it was targeted in a terror attack. The Detroit-area Temple Israel was attacked on March 12 when a 41-year-old man rammed his truck packed with fireworks and gasoline deep into the building. The FBI called it a “targeted act of violence against the Jewish community.”
