Catholics stand with Jewish brethren following Belleville synagogue attack

A police officer was shot and a gunman critically wounded Sunday night outside Belleville’s Sons of Jacob synagogue as those in attendance marked Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year in Judaism, inside.

Belleville Police Service confirmed the identities of the suspect and office on Monday in a news conference. The suspect has been named as Sean Ward, 29, of Quinte West. The officer, Constable Jeff Smith, remains in hospital in critical but stable condition.

Ward is alleged to have opened fire on Smith with a shotgun while the officer was stationed outside the building. Smith, who has been with Belleville's police service since 2013, suffered serious injuries during the shootout and is recovering in an intensive care unit. Ward remains in life-threatening condition.

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Thankfully, although multiple shots did pierce one of the synagogue’s windows, no congregation members were injured, and the suspect was never able to breach the building. 

Fr. Luis Melo, the director of the Archdiocese of Toronto’s office for ecumenical and interfaith relations, wrote The Catholic Register a day after the shooting.

“We stand in solidarity with our Jewish brothers and sisters following the shooting outside the Sons of Jacob Synagogue on Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish year. Our prayers are with the Jewish community, especially those directly affected by this act of violence. All people must be free to worship in safety and peace,” he said. 

Karen Shannon, director of communications for the Archdiocese of Kingston, shared that on Monday morning’s Holy Mass at St. Joseph Church, just a few blocks down Victoria Avenue in Belleville where Sons of Jacob sits, Fr. Rod MacNeil led the congregation in prayer for the Sons of Jacob community and all affected by “this devastating and horrific situation.” 

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It was also reported by Belleville Deputy Police Chief Sheri Meeks and Kristy Denette, a spokesperson for Ontario's Special Investigations Unit, that the officer was already stationed outside the building as services commenced inside — a measure that synagogues across the province have been implementing. 

Toronto Police Services increased its presence across the city as members of the Jewish community observed Rosh Hashanah from Sept. 11 to 13 and Yom Kippur on Sept. 20 and 21. The report would go on to highlight the decision follows an alarming increase in hate-motivated incidents targeting Jewish communities in Toronto and elsewhere. Since Oct. 7, 2023, and the Hamas attacks on Israel, Toronto Police have made 573 arrests and laid 1,398 charges in connection with demonstrations, protests and hate-motivated offences against the Jewish community.

Similar increases in presence have been confirmed by the Durham Regional Police Service, York Regional Police, Barrie Police Services and the Ottawa Police Service among others. 

Prime Minister Mark Carney and Ontario Premier Doug Ford released statements condemning the shooting. 

“Jewish people must be able to worship safely. To live free, open, proud Jewish lives. 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,” Carney’s post on X read. 

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In a similar post, Ford said he was “disgusted” by the shooting and shared that his 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,” his statement said.