Antisemitic attack on Belleville synagogue on Yom Kippur: suspect shouted death threat

Suspect Sean Ward opened fire outside the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville, Ont., shouting antisemitic threats. One officer was critically wounded; Ward later died in hospital.

Gunman targeted Jewish congregation during Yom Kippur service in Belleville

National Post Crime reports that the suspect in the synagogue shooting in Belleville, Ontario, shouted "You are going to die for the Jews" before exchanging gunfire with police. The statement was captured on a seconds-long video played at a police press conference on Thursday.

Belleville Police Chief Murray Rodd identified the suspect as Sean Ward, 29, and described the incident as a hate-motivated crime. Ward had the "means, the motive and the mechanisms" to carry out a larger attack, Rodd said.

"The loss of life and the irreversible damage that could have been rippled through our community for generations cannot be overstated," Rodd said.

The attack took place just after 7 p.m. on Sunday, outside the Sons of Jacob Synagogue. At the time, approximately 25 people were gathered inside for Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. None of the worshippers were injured.

The attack was an "exclusive threat to our Jewish community," said Rodd.

Ward was armed with a shotgun and carried a significant amount of ammunition, as well as gasoline. Earlier that day, Ward had conducted reconnaissance near the synagogue, according to the chief.

Const. Jeff Smith was stationed outside the synagogue for the evening service. He observed Ward during an initial pass but did not see him do anything suspicious. "He was then ambushed on a second pass. That's when the shooting started," Rodd said.

Smith was shot while inside his vehicle but managed to get out and pursue the gunman. He was subsequently taken to hospital in critical condition. He sustained "multiple gunshot wounds to his head and his body, and continues to receive treatment for significant injuries," said Rodd. "He is expected to undergo multiple surgeries related to serious head trauma. While his recovery will be lengthy and challenging, he is making progress every day."

Ward was shot and fatally injured during the exchange of gunfire. He died in hospital on Monday. Rodd called both responding officers heroes. Smith's colleague, Const. Mike McCurdy, arrived at the scene a little more than two minutes after the shooting began.

Although Rodd said he could not elaborate further on the evidence collected, he stated it clearly showed Ward's intent was to specifically target the Jewish community.

Insp. Christine Belair of the RCMP's Integrated National Enforcement Team could not confirm whether Ward had been radicalized during military service. The Department of National Defence confirmed to National Post that a man with the same name as Ward served in the Canadian Armed Forces for five years, beginning in 2017. Global News and The Globe and Mail have reported that Ward was released from service after refusing a COVID-19 vaccine, though Belair declined to confirm that detail.

Ward was from Quinte West, a small city located 18 kilometres west of Belleville.

Ontario Solicitor General Michael Kerzner, who attended Thursday's press conference, said the events of the past several days struck a personal chord.

"It's one thing to say hate has no place here in our province and in our country, but we already know that. We have to go further and faster," he said. "We have to have a clarion call that there must be consequences for people that behave in this manner, that do not subscribe to the values of who we are."

Rodd noted that Belleville police have maintained a long relationship with the local Jewish community and have provided security "whenever they considered it necessary." He said the incident points to a broader need for proactive measures.

"I guess one of the messages to my colleagues around the province and the country is it is clearly time that we all be proactive," Rodd said.

Source: National Post Crime