Synagogue shooter Sean Ward was suing military over COVID vaccine discharge

Sean Ward, killed after attacking an Ontario synagogue on Yom Kippur, was among 128 plaintiffs suing the Canadian military over its COVID-19 vaccine mandate.

Belleville synagogue attacker Sean Ward was plaintiff in military vaccine mandate lawsuit

Sean Ward, the gunman killed in a shootout after attacking the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville, Ontario, was one of 128 current and former Canadian Armed Forces members suing the federal government over its COVID-19 vaccination mandate, National Post Crime reports.

Ward, 29, held the rank of Corporal in the infantry with the 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, based at Canadian Forces Base Edmonton. He was involuntarily discharged after being deemed "unsuitable for further service" when he refused to comply with the military's vaccine directive during the pandemic, according to court documents.

The lawsuit states Ward declined vaccination "on religious grounds," but his application for an exemption was rejected by military officials. "He has served honourably for almost 5 years. He was told no exemption to receiving the injections would be made. Mr. Ward did not accept the injections," the statement of claim reads.

Ward was seeking $1,500,000 in general damages and an additional $140,000 in compensation for financial losses.

Attack on Yom Kippur

Ward's military background as a trained infantry soldier has become a focal point as Belleville police continue to investigate Sunday's shooting, which occurred as approximately 25 people had gathered at the synagogue to observe Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.

Belleville Police Chief Murray Rodd said Ward arrived at the synagogue heavily armed, carrying a shotgun, other undisclosed weapons, a significant quantity of ammunition, containers of gasoline and additional materials. Constable Jeff Smith, a Belleville police officer posted outside the synagogue, was shot multiple times by Ward and remains in serious condition. Ward was subsequently killed in a firefight involving Smith and a second officer, Constable Mike McCurdy.

A video of the attack shown by police captured Ward calling out — directed, presumably, at Smith or McCurdy — "You are going to die for the Jews."

Rodd declared the incident a hate-motivated attack. "This was a targeted attack against the Jewish community. The suspect had the means, the motive and the mechanisms to cause a mass casualty and the destruction of the Jewish synagogue," he said.

The vaccine lawsuit

The original statement of claim involving Ward was filed September 27, 2023, with the Federal Court in Edmonton. The court sealed it, and an amended claim was filed February 25, 2026. Ward appeared as plaintiff number 110 on the list of 128 plaintiffs.

Originally, several high-ranking military officers, other military officials and government ministers past and present were named as defendants. The amended claim narrowed that list to Wayne Eyre, the now-retired Chief of Defence Staff, the Minister of National Defence and the Attorney General of Canada.

In a statement of defence filed by Department of Justice lawyers, the government and military "deny each and every allegation" in the lawsuit. The government defended the vaccine mandates as having a primary objective "to protect the readiness, health, and safety of the Force, the entire Defence Team, as well as members of the public they may be called upon to serve," and argued that non-compliance demonstrated "an unwillingness to obey and support lawful authority."

The lawsuit, however, characterizes the mandate as coercive. "This mandate, implemented through a series of Directives, coerced vaccination under threat of career-ending sanctions, bypassing statutory processes and infringing fundamental rights," it states.

Collectively, the plaintiffs are seeking $1 million each in damages for negligence, Charter breaches and misuse of authority, and a further $500,000 each for alleged bad faith conduct. They are also seeking individualized compensation for future income loss, pension loss and medical expenses.

Beyond financial relief, the plaintiffs are asking the court to declare that the Canadian military's COVID-19 vaccine mandate violated the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and that Eyre issued an unlawful order.

The lawsuit argues the military granted exemptions on medical grounds but refused to extend the same consideration for ethical or philosophical objections. "It was grossly disproportionate, with severe sanctions like career loss and stigma outweighing benefits, rendering the 'choice' illusory and shocking the conscience," the claim states. It also alleges the military's internal grievance system was structured in a way that disadvantaged those opposing the mandate.

The lawyer representing the plaintiffs was not available to comment on the case or on what impact Ward's attack may have on the ongoing litigation.

Source: National Post Crime