Over $724K raised for Belleville officer shot outside synagogue on Yom Kippur
Const. Jeff Smith was shot in the head and torso while guarding Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville, Ont. A GoFundMe has raised over $724,000 in his support.
GoFundMe for shot Belleville officer surpasses $724,000
A GoFundMe campaign in support of Belleville, Ont. police officer Const. Jeff Smith has raised $724,101 as of late Friday, far exceeding its initial goal of $18,000, National Post Crime reports. Smith was shot multiple times in the head and torso while standing guard outside Sons of Jacob Synagogue during a Yom Kippur service on Sunday night.
The shooter, Sean Ward, 29, opened fire while shouting "you are going to die for the Jews," according to video footage played by police at a Thursday press conference. Belleville Police Chief Murray Rodd described the attack as a hate-motivated crime and an "exclusive threat to our Jewish community." Roughly 25 congregants were inside the synagogue at the time.
Chief Rodd confirmed that Smith had been shot before he could exit his vehicle. A second officer, Const. Michael McCurdy, rushed to assist Smith and was present during the confrontation but was not physically harmed.
Criminal defence lawyer Solomon Friedman, one of the campaign's top donors, described the attack in stark terms. "It is a tragic reality for Canadian Jews to know that armed police officers must stand guard outside our synagogues just so we can assemble and pray," he wrote in an email to National Post. "While it is terrible, that is life for Jews in 2026. In Belleville, Constable Jeff Smith put himself in mortal danger to defend innocent men, women and children whose only crime was to gather as Jews."
Friedman added: "Words are insufficient to describe the debt that is owed to both Cst. Smith and his fellow officer, Cst. McCurdy. They and their families are deserving of our endless gratitude and support."
Smith's wife, Ashley Smith, posted a message on Facebook on Tuesday alongside a photo of her holding her husband's hand. "Jeff has a very long, difficult road ahead," she wrote. "But he is not walking it alone." She expressed gratitude for the broad public support the family has received.
Campaign organizer Derek Kreindler said the response had surpassed all expectations. "I am astounded at the donations that have poured in, and never imagined we would raise over $500,000," he wrote in an online post. "My hope is that we are able to reach $1,000,000 by the time Constable Smith has been discharged from hospital."
Kreindler also addressed questions from donors regarding McCurdy's role. "Constable McCurdy faced the same danger as Constable Smith while protecting the synagogue and those gathered inside, and assisting his fellow officer," he wrote. "We are deeply relieved that he is safe, and grateful to learn that he was physically unharmed."
Former Bay of Quinte MP Ryan Williams paid tribute to both officers on social media. "Think about that for a second. Running toward gunfire while everyone else is trying to get away," Williams wrote on Facebook. "We've spent the last few days talking about tragedy, fear and hate. We should also take a moment to recognize extraordinary courage when we see it." Williams also specifically recognized McCurdy for rushing to assist Smith before additional backup arrived.
Sons of Jacob Synagogue has separately launched a fundraiser aimed at covering repair costs from damage caused by the gunfire, with a goal of $90,000.
Source: National Post Crime