Synagogue shooting suspect Sean Ward, ex-Canadian Forces corporal, dies in hospital

Sean Ward, 29, who opened fire outside a Belleville synagogue on Yom Kippur, has died in hospital. The wounded police officer remains in stable condition.

Ex-military suspect dies after Belleville synagogue shooting on Yom Kippur

Sean Ward, 29, the Quinte West man suspected of opening fire outside a Belleville synagogue during Yom Kippur services on Sunday evening, has died in hospital, National Post Crime reports, citing Ontario's Special Investigations Unit (SIU).

Ward arrived at the synagogue by pickup truck just after 7 p.m., armed with a shotgun. According to SIU spokesperson Kristy Denette, preliminary evidence indicates he opened fire on Const. Jeff Smith, a Belleville Police Service officer stationed in an unmarked vehicle outside the place of worship while congregants were beginning their Yom Kippur service — the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. Smith returned fire, and a second responding officer also discharged their weapon. Ward was struck by multiple bullets and reportedly required resuscitation at the scene.

At a Monday news conference, Denette said Ward was transported to Kingston General Hospital in life-threatening condition. A post-mortem examination is scheduled for Wednesday.

Const. Smith, a 13-year member of the Belleville Police Service, is in stable condition at the same hospital. A GoFundMe campaign set up in his support had raised more than $90,000 as of Tuesday afternoon.

Former corporal with Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry

National Post confirmed Tuesday that Ward was a former member of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). A CAF spokesperson said records show a Sean Ward "matching the description provided" joined the forces 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 told National Post by email. "We remain ready to provide assistance to the investigation if required."

The Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry is based in Edmonton.

A photograph of Ward in Canadian military fatigues that has been circulating online was originally shared by his father, Doug Ward, in 2017. "Follow your dream son love you," Doug wrote in the accompanying post, adding in a comment that his son was stationed in Alberta. National Post said it has reached out to Doug Ward for comment.

Police visited the Quinte West home where Ward lived with his mother on Monday, according to reporting by CBC.

Investigators have said little publicly about Ward or the circumstances that led to the attack. The SIU, which reviews incidents involving Ontario police and members of the public, is overseeing the investigation.

Source: National Post Crime