Police officer and civilian injured in gunfire near Belleville synagogue during Yom Kippur
A police officer and a man were wounded in a shooting near the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville, Ontario, as the Jewish community observed Yom Kippur; the investigation is ongoing.
A police officer and a civilian were shot near the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville, Ontario, around 7:10 p.m. on Sunday while members of the Jewish community were marking Yom Kippur. Both victims were transported to hospital, with the civilian listed in life-threatening condition.
The province’s Special Investigations Unit dispatched investigators to the scene, and Belleville police have not disclosed the motive or whether the synagogue was specifically targeted. Authorities said there was no immediate public safety risk and asked the public to avoid the area while the investigation continues.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford expressed condemnation of the incident, stating that Jewish people have the right to worship without fear and calling for the responsible parties to be arrested and prosecuted. He also offered thoughts for the injured officer and his family.
York Regional Police indicated no known threat in the region but warned that patrols around places of worship would be increased.
The shooting follows previous incidents involving antisemitic threats in Canada, including earlier attacks on Jewish schools and synagogues, which prompted the federal government to allocate additional funding for security measures at faith-based institutions.