A former Canadian soldier opened fire outside a synagogue during Yom Kippur services, injuring a police officer before officers shot him, authorities said. Investigators are examining whether the incident was motivated by antisemitism.
Sean Ward, 29, arrived in a truck carrying a shotgun and fired at two officers stationed outside the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville, Ontario, at about 7 p.m. Sunday, according to the CBC.
Ward struck Constable Jeff Smith, who was providing security outside the synagogue with another officer. The two officers returned fire, hitting Ward, who died from his injuries Monday night.
Smith was in critical but stable condition as of Tuesday.
Authorities had not immediately determined whether Ward intended to attack the synagogue, which is about 110 miles east of Toronto, or the police officers stationed outside.
Investigators said the timing — during Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement — raised the possibility that antisemitism played a role in the shooting.
None of the approximately two dozen congregants inside the synagogue was hurt. However, gunfire struck nearby homes, vehicles and the building’s windows.
“There are dozens of bullet holes in the street behind me and some homes have been hit and there are some vehicles with shot out windows, that sort of thing. So it would have been quite the scene,” Belleville Deputy Police Chief Sheri Meeks said.
Worshipers said they quickly understood that shots were being fired outside and dropped to the floor as roughly 25 rounds were exchanged in a confrontation lasting only moments.
Norm Weddum, the leader of Sons of Jacob, was attending the service when the shooting began. “I could say, ‘Oh, this is definitely … someone is shooting here,’” he told CBC. “So that’s when we ran back into the auditorium of the synagogue, closed the doors behind us so as to not leave a visible target and we hit the floor.
“Literally everyone went down. I yelled for everyone to get on to the floor and the shots continued for a few more seconds, and then it was basically over.”
Weddum said the synagogue routinely requests additional security during Jewish High Holidays because of concerns about potential threats.
“Thank God that person was there,” he said of Smith.
Authorities continue to investigate what led to the shooting and whether a specific motive can be established.
“It’s believed that [Ward] came in a truck and he had a shotgun and he discharged his firearm at a police officer and then that police officer returned fire and then there was a second officer who arrived and then also discharged [their] firearm,” Kristy Denette, a spokesperson for Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit, told reporters.
Ward joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 2017 and served as an infantry soldier before leaving the military in 2022 with the rank of corporal.
Meeks said antisemitism has “no place” in Belleville and announced that police would increase their presence throughout the city.
“Let me be very clear: Antisemitism, hate and violence have no place in our community,” she said.
“Every person deserves to feel safe when attending a place of worship, gathering with loved ones, or participating in community life.”
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Belleville Mayor Neil Ellis each condemned the attack.
