Belleville Synagogue President Stands Strong After Shooting

The president of the Belleville, Ont., synagogue where a shooting took place between a man and local police on Sunday evening said the event has left congregants feeling shocked and caused some damage to the building.

“But once we get the building back, we will continue with our services. We will continue with our programming,” Norm Weddum says.

“This is not going to stop us.”

Weddum was among about 25 individuals inside Sons of Jacob Synagogue at around 7 p. m. ET on Sunday.

The group had gathered to observe Yom Kippur, one of the holiest days in the Jewish calendar, when they suddenly heard gunfire outside.

As later revealed to them and the broader public, a 29-year-old man from nearby Quinte West was reportedly positioned about half a block away from the synagogue and, under unclear circumstances, allegedly opened fire on a Belleville Police Service officer also in that area.

Norm Weddum, the president of the synagogue, called Cst. Jeff Smith ‘a hero.’ (CBC)

That officer returned fire, with another police officer also discharging their weapon.

The first officer, who had been sent to monitor the synagogue surroundings as part of what Weddum described as a long-standing security practice, suffered critical injuries and is facing “a significant road to recovery,” according to Belleville’s deputy police chief.

That officer, Const. Jeff Smith, is “definitely a hero in our books,” Weddum said. “He put his life on the line for us to protect us.”

As dusk fell over Belleville Monday evening, Weddum joined dozens of residents and elected officials for a vigil outside city hall, holding hands in silent solidarity.

‘Horrific’ this could happen, says resident

Among those present was Robert Shuster, a member of the local Jewish community who mentioned he’s attended services and social gatherings at Sons of Jacob many times over the years.

Though he wasn’t there during the shooting incident itself, he expressed feeling shaken by it.

“It made me feel scared, really scared that it could come to this,” Shuster remarked while looking out over those gathered.

“It’s a good feeling, frankly, that there are people who support you.”

Community members, elected officials and religious leaders gathered in Belleville, Ont. for a vigil on Sept. 21, 2026 after a suspect allegedly opened fire on a police officer about half a block from a synagogue leaving both men seriously injured. (CBC)

Kelly Sakamoto also participated in the vigil.

She shared that her daughter lives just one block away from where the shooting occurred.

“It’s just horrific that something like this could have happened,” Sakamoto stated. “We just wanted to come and say,’We care. We want you to know we care.'”

Suspect was in the military

The person accused of attacking Smith, Sean Ward, was also injured and remained hospitalized with life-threatening injuries as of midday Monday.

Police were seen at Ward’s home in Quinte West where he lives with his mother on Monday. No charges have been filed against him yet.

A former employer and neighbors told CBC that Ward used to serve in the Canadian military based in Alberta.>WATCH | Police speak at the scene: class=”video-item-title”>Police name suspect officer shot in shootout outside Ontario synagogue>Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit reported that approximately 20 to 30 shots were fired during an exchange between two officers from Belleville Police Service and Ward on Sept. 20 night near Yom Kippur outside residential areas adjacent to where several synagogues are located. One officer along with Ward are both currently hospitalized due to their injuries.>At an earlier news conference held by Belleville police alongside representatives from Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit-the agency responsible for examining police actions during incidents involving shootings-a spokesperson indicated they would investigate Ward’s motives behind this act.>Weddum noted that one street-facing stained-glass window at their synagogue sustained around 20 bullet holes “when all was done,” although it’s uncertain if it was targeted shooting or not.>”Some of these bullets actually went through windows across rooms into memorial boards lit up situated on opposite ends within sanctuary space,” Weddum explained.>”Fortunately everyone was lying down.. [Had anybody] been standing up they would’ve surely gotten hit.”>

Churches offer synagogue space

A week before this incident occurred; The synagogue had requested extra police presence outside during its Yom Kippur service last Sunday night according to Weddum’s statements.

“When organizing large gatherings we’ve always done so,” he commented adding many other synagogues implement similar safety measures.”

“Usually nobody thinks too much about such things; what’s going happen? It’s just Belleville.”

Sons Of Jacob traces its origins back more than century ago-first formed back in1905-when initially small groups convened together holding religious services within boarding houses designated specifically for Jewish workers located around Bellevillestarting offtheir roots there.
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So far no threats have ever presented themselves against our congregation before either stated simply; while reflecting upon how supportive everyone within Bellevillespecialties towards them continued throughout various situations encountered previously having happened regularly without interruption despite events occurring recently giving rise unease amongst locals surrounding heightened tensions concerning past experiences previously dealt shown based upon their friendly reception received whenever visiting establishments elsewhere nearby locations frequently established connections forged overtime developed trust existing bonds remained unbroken evidenced showcased clearly displayed efforts shown forth afterwards extending assistance being offered immediately following last weekend’s terrible situation unfolding right here locally occurring unexpectedly overnight causing widespread concern too extreme measures undertaken swiftly taken again once more protect well-being ensuring safety maintained paramount importance prioritized above anything else currently considered utmost necessity needing addressed properly even now…

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