Full Breakdown
Shooting Outside Belleville’s Sons of Jacob Synagogue Leaves Officer Critical and Suspect Dead
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
On Yom Kippur, former Canadian Armed Forces infantry soldier Sean Ward, 29, drove a pickup to the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville, Ontario, and opened fire with a shotgun at two police officers outside the building. Constable Jeff Smith was hit and remained in critical but stable condition; a second officer also returned fire. Ward was struck by police gunfire and died of his injuries the following night. No congregants inside the synagogue were injured, though bullet holes were reported in surrounding homes, vehicles and the synagogue’s windows.
Background & Context
The synagogue, serving Belleville’s Jewish community for 125 years, routinely requests heightened security for high-holiday services because of antisemitic threats. The attack occurred during a 7 p.m. Yom Kippur service.
Timeline
- Sunday evening – Ward arrives, fires a shotgun at the officers; an exchange of gunfire lasts only a few seconds.
- Shortly after – Worshippers take cover inside the sanctuary, and the shooting ceases.
- Monday night – Ward succumbs to his injuries in hospital.
Data & Statistics
- Police reported roughly 20–30 shots were fired.
- Two officers returned fire; one officer was struck, the other was unharmed.
- The shooter’s vehicle and home are subject to a search warrant; ammunition found in the truck is part of the ongoing probe.
Official Statements & Responses
Deputy Police Chief Sheri Meeks said “antisemitism has no place” in Belleville and announced a heightened police presence city-wide. Premier Doug Ford, Prime Minister Mark Carney and Belleville Mayor Neil Ellis condemned the attack and called for community safety and unity.
On-the-Ground Accounts
Congregation president Norm Weddum recalled hearing the gunfire and urging worshippers to seek cover: “I could say, ‘Oh, this is definitely … someone is shooting here.’” He noted the first target was the police officer and that the shooter’s bullets struck the synagogue’s stained-glass windows. Security volunteer Mike Devolin said he was relieved the officers engaged the shooter, adding, “I am quite sure the shooter would have come inside and killed us all.”
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Motive – Officials have not confirmed a definitive motive; the timing on Yom Kippur suggests possible antisemitic bias, but other explanations have not been ruled out.
- Number of shots – Estimates range from 20 to 30; police have not released an official count.
- Target – While the shooter fired at an officer, some officials initially considered whether the synagogue itself was the primary target; the investigation continues.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I could say, ‘Oh, this is definitely … someone is shooting here,'” — Norm Weddum
- “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, Ontario Special Investigations Unit spokesperson
- “I am quite sure the shooter would have come inside and killed us all,” — Mike Devolin