Shooting near Belleville synagogue on Yom Kippur wounds man and officer
A police officer and a man were both shot near the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville, Ontario, during Yom Kippur services. The man was hospitalized in life-threatening condition.
Gunfire outside Belleville synagogue on Yom Kippur leaves two wounded
A police officer and a man were both wounded in an exchange of gunfire on Sunday near the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville, Ontario, as Jewish community members gathered to observe Yom Kippur, theguardian.com reports. The man was taken to hospital in life-threatening condition.
Ontario's special investigations unit said the incident occurred near the synagogue, located approximately 160 kilometres east of Toronto. Belleville police said the officer encountered the man at around 7:10 p.m., and both were subsequently transported to hospital.
Authorities have not disclosed what prompted the shooting or whether the synagogue or the Jewish community was deliberately targeted. Police said there was no ongoing risk to public safety and asked residents to avoid the area while officers investigated.
The special investigations unit — the civilian agency responsible for examining serious incidents involving police — confirmed it dispatched investigators to the scene. Belleville police said no further details would be released while the investigation remained active.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford condemned the incident in a post on social media. "I'm disgusted by the shooting that took place outside the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville earlier this evening as Jewish community members gathered to mark Yom Kippur," Ford said. He added that Jewish people "have every right to gather and worship safely and without fear" and called for those responsible to be arrested and prosecuted. Ford also expressed concern for the wounded officer and their family.
York Regional Police said there was no known threat in the broader region but indicated residents should expect increased patrols at places of worship.
Sunday's shooting comes months after Prime Minister Mark Carney warned that Canada was failing its Jewish community amid a rise in antisemitism. Carney cited shootings at Jewish schools, firebombings of synagogues, and attacks on community centres and Jewish-owned businesses. His government subsequently announced additional funding to help faith-based institutions cover security infrastructure, training, and personnel.
Synagogues in the Toronto area have also previously been targeted. In March, gunfire damaged the entrances of synagogues in Vaughan and Toronto, though no one was injured. Police later arrested three suspects in connection with those incidents.
Source: Google News CA — Crime (EN)