Belleville synagogue shooter dead after Yom Kippur attack, officer critically hurt

Sean Ward, 29, a former Canadian soldier, died in hospital after being shot by police outside a Belleville synagogue on Yom Kippur. A police officer was critically wounded.

Former Canadian soldier dies after opening fire outside Belleville synagogue on Yom Kippur

Sean Ward, 29, a Quinte West resident and former member of the Canadian Armed Forces, died in hospital on Monday night after being shot by police outside Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville, Ont., CP24 reports. The shooting occurred Sunday night as congregants inside the building prepared to observe Yom Kippur.

Ward arrived near the synagogue in a truck and allegedly opened fire on a police officer stationed outside, armed with a shotgun. Officers returned fire. Ward was found without vital signs at the scene, revived by first responders, and transported to hospital in life-threatening condition. He died the following evening. An autopsy has been scheduled for Wednesday in Kingston, Ont., the Special Investigations Unit confirmed to CP24.

Const. Jeff Smith, a 13-year veteran of the Belleville Police Service, was critically injured in the exchange. Sources told CP24 that Smith was shot multiple times, including in the neck, and remained in hospital in stable condition as of Tuesday.

The SIU estimated that between 20 and 30 shots were fired at the scene. Congregation members at Sons of Jacob Synagogue said some of those shots shattered stained-glass windows in the building.

Possible terrorist motive

Police have not publicly stated a motive. SIU spokesperson Kristy Denette, however, agreed with a reporter's suggestion on Monday that the incident could be characterized as a terrorist attack.

"I think that common sense would say that probably was the case," she said.

Ward was publicly identified by police on Monday. Investigators have provided no further details, citing the ongoing SIU review.

Former infantry corporal with Princess Patricia's

A spokesperson for the Canadian Armed Forces confirmed in a statement to CTV News on Tuesday that a former member matches the description of the suspect. Ward enrolled in July 2017 and was released in June 2022 at the rank of corporal.

"He served as an infantry soldier with the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry and did not deploy during his service," the spokesperson said. "We remain ready to provide assistance to the investigation if required."

Congregation reflects on the attack

Norm Weddum, president of the Sons of Jacob congregation, returned to the synagogue for the first time since the shooting on Tuesday and described seeing the bullet holes in the stained glass as "surreal."

"It's kind of strange actually coming back in. But we are glad to be back in," Weddum said. He recalled hearing loud bangs during the attack, closing the wooden doors once he recognized them as gunshots, crouching down, and remaining still until the shooting had stopped.

After the incident, the congregation was taken to the police station, where they held an improvised service.

"We moved the tables and chairs over together there, and we all sat there, and we had a bit of a service with the rabbi and did some hymns and songs and just kind of put things like back in place, what we were here to do," Weddum said. "It kind of brought people closer together after a traumatic event."

Weddum said he remains in shock but is eager to resume regular services. "Let's get back to what we do and running services and programs and teaching," he said.

Calls for protection of Jewish institutions

Nadav Zysblat, consul general of Israel to Toronto and Western Canada, visited the synagogue on Tuesday and spoke with community members. He said residents are frightened.

"They're seeing levels of antisemitism in Canada that we haven't seen before, and this is extremely concerning," Zysblat told CP24. "We call upon the Canadian government to take all the measures to make sure that any Canadian feels safe; that includes, of course, the Jewish community in Canada."

Richard Marceau, Senior Vice President of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, said in an interview with CP24 on Tuesday that the incident highlights the need for dedicated security resources at Jewish institutions.

"Words are not enough and there are things that need to happen," Marceau said. "We need to convene a meeting of federal, provincial, and territorial and municipal leaders to make sure that there's intelligence sharing, that the law is properly enforced and there needs to be an expedited way to get Jewish institutions like synagogues, community centres and schools to have access to off-duty armed police officers to protect our institutions."

Ontario Premier Doug Ford, reacting to news of the shooting on Monday, called Const. Smith a "hero" and said he "stopped a tragedy in its footsteps."

With files from CP24's Beatrice Vaisman

Source: Google News CA — Crime (EN)