Gunman dead after Belleville synagogue shooting; $60K raised for wounded officer

Sean Ward, 29, of Quinte West died in hospital Monday after exchanging gunfire with police outside a Belleville synagogue on Yom Kippur. A GoFundMe for injured Const. Jeff Smith has raised over $60,000.

Belleville synagogue shooter dies in hospital; Jewish community rallies for injured constable

The gunman who opened fire outside a Belleville synagogue on Sunday night has died in hospital, Ontario's Special Investigations Unit confirmed Monday.

Sean Ward, 29, of Quinte West, Ont., was pronounced dead on Monday night following a hospital admission after the shooting outside Sons of Jacob Synagogue, according to Toronto Sun Crime. A post-mortem examination is scheduled for Wednesday in Kingston, the SIU said in a news release.

"The 29-year-old man involved in an exchange of gunfire with police officers near a Belleville synagogue on Sunday died in hospital (Monday) night," the SIU stated.

The Canadian Armed Forces confirmed Ward had served as an infantry soldier with the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry. He joined the CAF in July 2017 and was released in 2022, the military said, adding he did not deploy during his service. "We remain ready to provide assistance to the investigation if required," the CAF said in a statement.

Officer confronted shooter during Yom Kippur service

The shooting unfolded Sunday night as congregants inside Sons of Jacob were celebrating Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. Const. Jeff Smith engaged Ward in gunfire outside the synagogue. A second officer also responded and exchanged fire with Ward. The SIU told reporters Monday that between 20 and 30 bullets were fired in total.

"Inside the synagogue, worshippers heard the gunfire, took cover and sheltered together as bullets struck the building," wrote Derek Kreindler, who organized a GoFundMe campaign in Smith's name.

Smith has since been hospitalized. His condition has stabilized and he is expected to recover, according to Toronto Sun Crime.

GoFundMe surpasses $60,000 in under two days

Members of Toronto's Jewish community launched a fundraiser to support Smith and his family during his recovery, setting a goal of $75,000. As of noon Tuesday, the campaign had raised just over $60,000 from 727 individual donations — in less than two days.

"Const. Smith confronted an extraordinarily dangerous situation while protecting a Jewish congregation assembled on the holiest day of the Jewish year," Kreindler wrote on the GoFundMe page.

Kreindler cited the Jewish principle of pikuach nefesh — the obligation to preserve human life — in framing Smith's actions. "Const. Smith fulfilled that obligation not through words, but through courage and action. When members of a vulnerable community needed protection, he put himself in harm's way."

Organizers said they are in contact with Belleville Police Service to determine how the funds will be disbursed. A sergeant on duty as of 1:45 p.m. on September 21 offered to pass the information to leadership at Sons of Jacob Synagogue, Kreindler noted.

"This fundraiser is also intended to send a clear message to Const. Smith and his fellow officers: the Jewish community remembers those who protect us," Kreindler wrote. "We will not forget what he did outside Sons of Jacob Synagogue."

Joint investigation underway

Both Belleville Police and the SIU are jointly investigating the shooting. Belleville is located approximately two hours east of Toronto. The incident occurred against a backdrop of rising antisemitic incidents across Canada, as noted by Toronto Sun Crime.

The SIU, which investigates incidents involving police where someone is seriously injured or killed, has not released further details about the circumstances that led to the exchange of fire.

Source: Toronto Sun Crime