Gunman Wounds Officer Outside Canadian Synagogue on Yom Kippur

A serious shooting incident occurred outside the Bnei Yaakov synagogue in Belleville, Ontario, Canada, on the eve of Yom Kippur. A gunman opened fire on a police officer providing security for worshippers, critically wounding the officer. The shooter was critically injured in return fire. The incident took place on Sunday around 7 p.m. near Victoria and Bleeker streets.

According to preliminary findings from Ontario's Special Investigations Unit, a 29-year-old man armed with a shotgun approached the synagogue and began shooting at Officer Jeff Smith. Smith returned fire, and an exchange resulted in approximately 25 to 30 rounds being fired, according to local reports. Nearby vehicles and homes were damaged. Officer Smith was seriously wounded and taken to the hospital, where his condition later stabilized. The suspect, identified in local media as Shawn Ward, sustained life-threatening injuries.

Around 24 worshippers were inside the synagogue for the High Holy Day services and were ordered to lie on the floor by synagogue president Norman Woodman after the shooting began. Miraculously, none of the worshippers were harmed. Woodman reported seeing about 20 bullet holes in one of the synagogue's windows and stated, "When an armed man comes to a synagogue where Jews are praying, I call it a hate crime." However, Canadian authorities have not officially determined if the synagogue or the Jewish community was the target, and the motive remains unknown, though a hate crime is being investigated.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry called the shooting a "terrorist attack against the Bnei Yaakov synagogue" and stated it represents a further escalation of the "crisis of antisemitism in Canada." The ministry praised the wounded officer's bravery and expressed solidarity with the Canadian Jewish community, citing "overt incitement" and "anti-Israel policies" as fueling antisemitism. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Ontario Premier Doug Ford condemned the shooting, emphasizing the need for Jewish Canadians to worship safely. Police in Toronto and York Region have increased patrols around synagogues and other places of worship in response.