A police officer was critically wounded Sunday evening in a shooting outside the Sons of Jacob synagogue in Belleville, Ontario, during Yom Kippur services, according to the province’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU). The suspect, identified as 29-year-old Sean Ward from nearby Quinte West, was armed with a shotgun and was shot by an officer at the scene, sustaining life-threatening injuries.
The incident unfolded around 7 p.m. when Ward reportedly arrived in a truck and opened fire on Constable Jeff Smith—a 13-year veteran of the Belleville Police Service—who had been hired to protect the synagogue during the holy day. Smith, positioned near the synagogue in an unmarked vehicle, exchanged gunfire with Ward before backup officers arrived and engaged as well. The shootout reportedly involved as many as 30 rounds and extended over approximately half a city block.
No one inside the synagogue, where about two dozen people were attending Yom Kippur services, was physically harmed. Witnesses described the gunfire as lasting several minutes, and synagogue President Norm Weddum confirmed that multiple bullets struck the building. Despite the damage to nearby vehicles and homes, forensic confirmation regarding whether the synagogue itself was hit had not been established as of Monday.
The SIU has dispatched a team of investigators to the scene to collect evidence, canvass for witnesses, and review any available video footage. It is conducting an independent investigation into the officers’ actions during the shooting. Meanwhile, the Belleville Police Service is carrying out a separate criminal investigation aimed at establishing Ward’s motives and actions leading up to the event.
Authorities have not confirmed whether the attack was motivated by hate, though local officials have acknowledged the impact it has had on Belleville’s Jewish community. Mayor Neil Ellis stated that while it is too early to definitively label the incident as a hate crime, the timing and location—outside a synagogue during Yom Kippur—are significant factors under consideration.
The Sons of Jacob synagogue, one of the city’s longstanding reform congregations, has experienced a series of incidents in recent weeks, including vandalism and egg-throwing during Rosh Hashanah. In light of the shooting, the synagogue canceled its remaining Yom Kippur services. Deputy Chief Sherry Meeks of Belleville Police emphasized the community’s trauma, highlighting the gravity of an attack occurring on the holiest day of the Jewish calendar.
No further details regarding Ward’s condition or potential charges had been released as investigations continue. The officer injured in the exchange remains hospitalized in stable condition.