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As Yom Kippur was being celebrated on Sunday night, shots were exchanged outside a synagogue in Belleville, leaving a police officer and the shooting suspect injured. Here’s the latest on the incident:
Belleville Police Deputy Chief Sheri Meeks says the force understands the “significant impact” Sunday night’s shootout between an armed man and two police officers would have on the Jewish community.
The incident took place around 7 p.m. outside the Sons of Jacob Synagogue during Yom Kippur — the most solemn day of the year in Judaism — while about two dozen congregants were inside.
No worshippers were physically hurt.
“We recognize the concern and uncertainty that many may be feeling, particularly since this occurred near the Sons of Jacob Synagogue during one of the holiest days in the Jewish faith,” said Meeks during a news conference at the scene on Monday.
“Let me be very clear. Hate and violence have no place in our community. Every person deserves to feel safe when attending a place of worship, gathering with loved ones or participating in community life. We have increased patrols and are maintaining a heightened police presence throughout the city, including around places of worship. I also want residents to know there’s no ongoing threat to public safety.”
When asked if they would consider this a “pre-meditated terrorist attack on the Jewish community” given the day and location, Ontario Special Investigations Unit spokesperson Kristy Denette stopped short of saying so.
“I would be speculating, but I think that common sense would probably say that was the case,” Denette said.
She said that it appears that the suspected gunman, identified as Sean Ward, 29, of nearby Quinte West, got within a half-block of the synagogue before he allegedly fired at the first officer outside, identified as Const. Jeff Smith, a 13-year veteran of the force, who was later joined by a second officer at the scene.
She said a fair estimate is that between 20-30 gunshots were exchanged.
“There are dozens of bullet holes in the street behind me,” she said. “And some homes have been hit and there are some vehicles with shot-out windows, that sort of thing, so I would have been quite the scene. We have a team of four investigators and two forensic investigators that are here and they’re canvassing for witnesses, they’re looking for surveillance video. We are looking at body-worn camera footage and anyone who might have anything. It’s believed the individual came in a truck and he had a shotgun.”
Police ramp up patrols in the GTA
While acknowledging that there was no known threat to synagogues and other Jewish institutions in Toronto, police said they were nonetheless ramping up patrols and visibility in the community out of an “abundance of caution.
“Our thoughts are with the Belleville Police officer who was injured and their loved ones and colleagues,” Toronto Police said on Sunday night, not long after the shooting was reported.
pic.twitter.com/eNAuM9UdAc
— Toronto Police (@TorontoPolice) September 21, 2026
Mayor Olivia Chow said in a statement of her own that the City of Toronto would “spare no expense” to keep Jewish people safe.
“Jewish Torontonians should not need police presence to observe Yom Kippur or to simply live their day-to-day lives,” she said, while acknowledging the “fear and deep concern” within the community.
York and Peel regional police issued similar responses on Sunday and Monday with Peel cops adding that they “recognize the fear brought on by this violence against our Jewish community.
“These efforts are continuing as officers work to provide reassurance and support community safety,” the statement said.
Police identify shooting suspect
Belleville Police earlier identified the accused as Ward, who was in life-threatening condition at a hospital.
Denette said Ward arrived at the hospital with vital signs absent, but was revived.
She said during Monday’s news conference that preliminary information suggested there was an individual “armed with a shotgun” outside the synagogue.
“He opened fire against a Belleville Police officer who was stationed outside of the synagogue. That officer returned fire and then there was another officer who also discharged their firearm,” said Denette.
Officer sustained ‘serious injuries’
Meeks said Smith, one of the officers involved in the shootout, “sustained serious injuries.
“Const. Smith joined the Belleville Police Service on Dec. 27, 2013, and has served our service with distinction for nearly 13 years,” Meeks said. “He’s a long-standing and respected member of our emergency response unit, known by his colleagues as a dedicated officer, trusted teammate and committed public servant.”
The officer was in critical but stable condition in an intensive care unit at Kingston General Hospital, confirmed Meeks, adding that the officer “continues to face a significant road to recovery” and that his condition has stabilized.
Was a ‘heavy rifle’ involved?
More than two dozen congregants were gathered inside the Sons of Jacob Synagogue on Sunday night, when bullets struck the stained glass windows of the place of worship.
The officer and the suspect were both taken to Kingston General Hospital after the exchange of gunfire around 7:10 p.m.
A security guard, identified only as Mike, told the Belleville Intelligencer that he heard synagogue members screaming amid the gunfire.
He believed the first shot sounded like it came from a “heavy rifle,” then a second round of bullets was met with another set of gunfire, the outlet reported, saying he heard “pop, pop, pop, pop, like this big pop.”
Mike noted that a police officer stationed by the synagogue was likely the cop who intercepted the suspect.
Initial reports suggested there were two suspects, but police narrowed it down to the one shooter after tactical officers swept the building.
Police said in a statement late Sunday that there was “no risk to public safety” after the scene was contained.
Neighbours heard the gunfire
Residents in the area of Victoria St. and Bleecker Ave. who heard the gunfire were ordered inside their homes by police, warning that it was an active shooting scene.
One woman, Josie, told the Intelligencer that she was sitting in her living room when she “heard a loud bang,” then a few seconds later it was like, “bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang.”
She described it as “a shotgun and maybe handgun mixture, nothing automatic … but it was a mix of two different types of weapons, for sure,” estimating she heard about 25 to 30 total shots.
She also filmed a truck, believed to be a late-model Chevy Silverado King Cab, driving off the road and onto the sidewalk.
Another witness, Sheldon, told the outlet he counted nine shots followed by another 16.
The Sons of Jacob Synagogue shared on social media that there were no injuries to anyone inside the building.
All services scheduled for Yom Kippur had been cancelled and the congregation will provide an update on when services will resume.
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‘Jewish people must be able to worship safely,’ says Carney
As the investigation continues into the gunman’s motive and what led to the shooting, Canada’s leaders are speaking out about the latest horrific act.
Prime Minister Mark Carney acknowledged how the shooting took place on the holiest night of the Jewish calendar.
“Jewish people must be able to worship safely. To live free, open, proud Jewish lives,” he said in a statement on X.
“Canada’s government will do everything in our power to support law enforcement in ensuring that the perpetrator is held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.
“My thoughts are with the injured officer and his family and the entire Jewish community.”
Last night, on the holiest night of the Jewish calendar, a shooting took place outside the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville.
— Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) September 21, 2026
A police officer was shot and the community has been left shaken.
Jewish people must be able to worship safely. To live free, open, proud Jewish…
‘Disgusted’ Premier Ford responds
Premier Doug Ford took to X shortly after the incident.
“I’m disgusted by the shooting that took place outside the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville earlier this evening as Jewish community members gathered to mark Yom Kippur,” Ford wrote.
“My thoughts are with the Jewish community in Belleville and across Ontario who have every right to gather and worship safely and without fear. I expect that all those responsible are arrested and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”
“My thoughts are also with the police officer who was shot, along with their family and loved ones. We owe an immense debt of gratitude to this brave officer and to all the first responders who acted so quickly to keep the community safe.”
I’m disgusted by the shooting that took place outside the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville earlier this evening as Jewish community members gathered to mark Yom Kippur.
— Doug Ford (@fordnation) September 21, 2026
My thoughts are with the Jewish community in Belleville and across Ontario, who have every right to…
Mayor ‘saddened and disturbed’
Neil Ellis, the mayor of Belleville, sounded shaken and emotional when he spoke to the Sun.
“It’s devastating for us. Things like this just don’t happen in Belleville. I’m at a loss for words,” he said.
He said in a later statement released by the city: “I am deeply saddened and disturbed by tonight’s incident in the east end of Belleville. Violence of this nature has no place in our community. The City of Belleville has zero tolerance for acts of violence motivated by hate. Everyone has the right to feel safe in our community, including when gathering and practising their faith.”
He praised Belleville Police for their “swift response and continued efforts to keep our community safe.
“Our thoughts are with Belleville’s Jewish community and all those impacted by tonight’s incident,” he added. “Our thoughts are also with the injured officer and we are praying for their recovery. We extend our heartfelt condolences to their family, colleagues and the entire Belleville Police Service during this difficult time.”
— With files from Warren Kinsella and Jordan Ercit.