Police officer wounded in shooting near Ontario synagogue on Yom Kippur
A 29-year-old suspect, identified as Sean Ward, died from his injuries after opening fire on a police officer outside the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville, Ontario. The shooting occurred Sunday night during Yom Kippur. Constable Jeff Smith was wounded, and another man was critically injured in the exchange, which involved up to 30 shots. Canadian officials have condemned the attack and expressed support for the Jewish community. Police have not yet confirmed if the synagogue or the Jewish community were specifically targeted.
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- ✓ The shooting occurred Sunday night outside the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville, Ontario.
- ✓ The suspect was identified as 29-year-old Sean Ward.
- ✓ Police Constable Jeff Smith was wounded in the shooting.
- ✓ A man was critically injured during the incident.
What changed
The province's police watchdog confirmed on Tuesday that the suspect, Sean Ward, has died.
Live updates
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Suspect Dies After Shooting Near Belleville Synagogue on Yom Kippur
A 29-year-old suspect, identified as Sean Ward, died from his injuries after opening fire on a police officer outside the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville, Ontario. The shooting occurred Sunday night during Yom Kippur. Constable Jeff Smith was wounded, and another man was critically injured in the exchange, which involved up to 30 shots. Canadian officials have condemned the attack and expressed support for the Jewish community. Police have not yet confirmed if the synagogue or the Jewish community were specifically targeted.
Why it matters
The attack took place while worshippers gathered for the holiest day in Judaism. This incident occurs amid reports of rising hostility toward the Jewish community in Canada.
What is confirmed
- The shooting occurred Sunday night outside the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville, Ontario.
- The suspect was identified as 29-year-old Sean Ward.
- Police Constable Jeff Smith was wounded in the shooting.
- A man was critically injured during the incident.
- The suspect died from his injuries, according to the province's police watchdog.
- Up to 30 shots were fired during the event.
What to watch next
- Police determination on whether the synagogue was a targeted hate crime
- Investigation results from the province's police watchdog regarding the officer-involved shooting
confidence 95%Sources used for this update (11)
- CNN — Police officer wounded in shooting near Ontario synagogue on Yom Kippur
- CBC — 'We hit the floor': Belleville, Ont., synagogue leader recounts shooting that left police officer, man injured
- The Times of Israel — Suspect in Ontario synagogue shooting identified as Sean Ward, injured cop as Jeff Smith
- The Hill — Up to 30 shots fired after man opened fire on officer outside Ontario synagogue
- People.com — Gunfire Erupts Outside Synagogue as Worshippers Gather for Yom Kippur, Leaving Officer and Man Wounded
- www.cbsnews.com — Shooting near Ontario synagogue on Yom Kippur leaves police officer wounded, man critically injured
- www.upi.com — Police name gunman, constable wounded in Ontario synagogue shooting
- religionnews.com — Man critically injured, police officer wounded in gunfire near Ontario synagogue on Yom Kippur
- www.yahoo.com — Suspect in Yom Kippur shooting outside Ontario synagogue dies from his injuries
- abcnews.com — Suspect in shooting outside Ontario synagogue that injured officer dies: Authorities
- www.algemeiner.com — Wave of Yom Kippur Incidents in Canada Highlights Rising Hostility Toward Jewish Community
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