Ex-Canadian soldier opens fire at synagogue on Yom Kippur, wounds cop in possible antisemitic attack: officials
A former Canadian soldier died in the hospital after opening fire outside a synagogue in Belleville, Ontario, on Yom Kippur. The gunman fired up to 30 shots, wounding a police officer who remains in critical condition facing a long recovery. Officials describe the incident as a possible antisemitic attack. The suspect reportedly held COVID-19 conspiracy theories and blamed Jewish people for the pandemic. Members of the Jewish community expressed that the attack would have been a massacre if not for the police presence.
Listen to Live Briefing
Real-time synthesized voice briefing · Live Feeds Desk
- ✓ A former Canadian soldier opened fire outside a synagogue in Belleville, Ontario, on Yom Kippur.
- ✓ A police officer was wounded during the shooting.
- ✓ The gunman died in the hospital from wounds sustained during the gunfight.
- ✓ Up to 30 shots were fired during the attack.
What changed
The suspect has died in the hospital following wounds sustained in a gunfight with police.
Live updates
-
Former Canadian soldier dies after shooting at Ontario synagogue
A former Canadian soldier died in the hospital after opening fire outside a synagogue in Belleville, Ontario, on Yom Kippur. The gunman fired up to 30 shots, wounding a police officer who remains in critical condition facing a long recovery. Officials describe the incident as a possible antisemitic attack. The suspect reportedly held COVID-19 conspiracy theories and blamed Jewish people for the pandemic. Members of the Jewish community expressed that the attack would have been a massacre if not for the police presence.
Why it matters
The attack occurred during the holiest day in Judaism. This incident follows reports of surging online hate and conspiracy theories targeting the Jewish community in Canada.
What is confirmed
- A former Canadian soldier opened fire outside a synagogue in Belleville, Ontario, on Yom Kippur.
- A police officer was wounded during the shooting.
- The gunman died in the hospital from wounds sustained during the gunfight.
- Up to 30 shots were fired during the attack.
- Officials identify the shooting as a possible antisemitic attack.
Still unconfirmed
- The suspect's online username alluded to killing Jews weeks before the attack.
What to watch next
- Formal police findings on the suspect's motive and online activity.
confidence 95%Sources used for this update (22)
- CNN — Police officer wounded in shooting near Ontario synagogue on Yom Kippur
- BBC — Carney condemns Yom Kippur shooting outside Canadian synagogue
- PBS — Up to 30 shots fired after man opened fire on officer outside Ontario synagogue
- The Times of Israel — Gunman who fired on police outside Canada synagogue dies of gunfight wounds
- Haaretz — 'Would have been a massacre': Jewish community on Ontario synagogue shooting
- ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos — Suspect in shooting outside Ontario synagogue that injured officer dies: Authorities
- Global News — Belleville gunman spouted COVID-19 conspiracies while in army, say sources
- New York Post — Ex-Canadian soldier opens fire at synagogue on Yom Kippur, wounds cop in possible antisemitic attack: officials
- Ynetnews — Former soldier who blamed Jews for COVID: Ontario Yom Kippur synagogue shooting suspect dies
- The Globe and Mail — The courage needed to face down hatred
- National Post — Vivian Bercovici: Belleville shooting is the inevitable result of unchecked Jew-hatred
- The Jerusalem Post — Online hate and conspiracy theories surge after Canadian synagogue shooting
Community Sentiment: How do you assess this situation?
Voice your perspective · Real-time aggregated sentiment from the Live Feeds community