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<\/a><\/p>\nA police officer walks past the Sons of Jacob Synagogue on Sept. 21, 2026. (Nick Lachance\/Toronto Star via Getty Images)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\u201cJewish people must be able to practice their faith safely. They deserve to live their Jewish lives proudly, freely, and openly,\u201d Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney wrote on X on Monday.<\/p>\n
Ontario Premier Doug Ford joined in the condemnation with his own X post. \u201cI\u2019m disgusted by the shooting that took place outside the Sons of Jacob Synagogue,\u201d he wrote. \u201cMy thoughts are with the Jewish community in Belleville and across Ontario, who have every right to gather and worship safely and without fear.\u201d <\/p>\n
At a press conference on Monday, Belleville\u2019s deputy police chief Sheri Meeks identified the shooter as Shawn Ward, 29, from the neighboring city of Quinte West and the injured officer as Constable Jeff Smith.<\/p>\n
The incident occurred at 7:10 p.m. Sunday, according to brief statements by the Belleville Police Service and the Special Investigations Unit (SIU). Belleville is a little more than 100 miles east of Toronto.<\/p>\n
Both Meeks and SIU spokesperson Kristy Denette gave details of the gun battle that unfolded outside the synagogue, which is located at the corner of a residential street of single family homes.<\/p>\n
The synagogue posted on social media that \u201cthere were no injuries of anyone inside the building.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ward allegedly arrived at the scene in a truck with a shotgun and fired at Smith, who was stationed outside the synagogue. Smith returned fire and as did a second officer who arrived at the scene.<\/p>\n
Some 20 to 30 shots were fired, with some hitting nearby vehicles and homes, Denette said, explaining that Ward was now in \u201clife-threatening condition\u201d at a hospital. Meeks added that Smith was in a hospital\u2019s intensive care unit with serious injuries but was expected to recover.<\/p>\n
There is a team of four investigators and two forensic investigators who are speaking to witnesses and looking through surveillance and body camera video footage, Denette explained.<\/p>\n
A CBC report showed footage of Smith\u2019s black unmarked vehicle parked outside the synagogue, which is now riddled with bullets, and explained that Ward\u2019s truck was parked just across the street.<\/p>\n
Synagogue president Norm Weddum recalled the attack for the CBC, explaining that he was ushering worshippers into the sanctuary to start the Yom Kippur services when they heard noises that sounded like \u201cboom, boom.\u201d <\/p>\n
When it became clear it was gunfire, everyone ran into the synagogue auditorium and closed the doors, recalled Weddum as he described yelling at everyone to \u201chit the floor.\u201d<\/p>\n
Once the gunfire stopped, he and a number of members went to the synagogue doors and saw the impact of the gun battle and the evacuation of the shooter and the police officer from the scene by ambulance. After the attack, he said, police also entered the synagogue.<\/p>\n
Weddum said he believed the gunman had intended to attack the synagogue but was thwarted by Smith, who had been in an unmarked vehicle.<\/p>\n
At the press conference on Monday, a reporter asked Denette if the incident could be considered a \u201cterrorist attack aimed at the Jewish community.\u201d <\/p>\n
She responded that \u201ccommon sense would say that probably was the case,\u201d but that her department\u2019s investigation was limited to the exchange of fire and that the Belleville police were looking at motive.<\/p>\n
Meeks characterized it as a hate crime in a statement she made at the press conference aimed at the Jewish community.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe recognize the concern and uncertainty many may be feeling, particularly given that this occurred near the Sons of Jacob synagogue during one of the holiest days in the Jewish faith. Let me be very clear: Antisemitism, hate and violence have no place in our community,\u201d Meeks said.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery person deserves to feel safe when attending a place of worship, gathering with loved ones or participating in community life,\u201d she stated.<\/p>\n
There are increased patrols and heightened police presence throughout the city, including houses of worship, Meeks added.<\/p>\n
A number of Canadian politicians spoke out on X against the attack, including opposition leader Pierre Poilievre and Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow. <\/p>\n
Several synagogues in Ontario have been hit with gunfire earlier this year.<\/p>\n