Authorities have released the identities of the suspect and the police officer injured in a shooting that occurred outside a synagogue in Belleville, Ont., on Sunday night.
The suspect is Sean Ward, 29, from nearby Quinte West. The wounded officer, who is currently hospitalized in critical but stable condition, is Const. Jeff Smith.
The Belleville Police Service confirmed their names during a press conference held Monday afternoon at the scene. Sons of Jacob Synagogue is situated at the intersection of Bleeker and Victoria avenues.
While Yom Kippur services were taking place inside, Ward allegedly opened fire with a shotgun on Officer Smith, who was stationed outside the building, according to Belleville Deputy Police Chief Sheri Meeks and Kristy Denette from Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU).
Another officer from Belleville also returned fire.
PHOTOS | The unfolding scene in Belleville:
Officer Smith has been part of the Belleville police force since 2013 and sustained serious injuries during the incident. He is recovering in an intensive care unit where his condition remains critical but stable.
“While he continues to face a significant road to recovery, his condition has stabilized and we remain hopeful and encouraged by his progress,” Meeks stated.
The shooting highlights that “every day [officers] leave their homes and loved ones not knowing what they may encounter,” she added.
Ward’s condition is life-threatening. “It’s my understanding that he was very critical but was sort of brought back to life, so to speak,” Denette mentioned.
A Special Investigations Unit van is parked at the scene. (Radio-Canada)
Questions remain
It’s unclear why Officer Smith was positioned outside the synagogue or whether Ward intended to target Sons of Jacob specifically or the local Jewish community as a whole.
Meeks indicated that Belleville police would not be releasing further updates on their investigation while SIU conducts its own focused inquiry into what led Officer Smith and another unnamed officer to discharge their firearms.
“We are in the process of securing body-worn camera footage from the officers involved as well as in-car camera footage,” Denette from SIU said. “Until we review that material, it’s challenging for me to provide you with an accurate sequence of events.”
“It’s believed that [Ward] arrived in a truck armed with a shotgun and discharged it at a police officer before that officer returned fire; then another officer arrived and also fired their weapon. That’s what we can share as our preliminary findings.”
When asked about the timing of this event during Yom Kippur and if evidence suggests it might have been aimed at the Jewish community, Denette replied, “I’d be speculating, but.. I think that common sense would say that probably was the case.”
The Sons of Jacob Synagogue is shown in Belleville on Monday. (Sharif Hassan/The Canadian Press)
‘Literally everyone went down’
Sons of Jacob Synagogue president Norman Weddum stated they were welcoming people inside when Yom Kippur services began around 7 p. m.
“It was boom, boom, boom,” Weddum recounted regarding the gunfire he heard outside.
Weddum moved towards the lobby where he could hear clearer shots being fired.
“I could say, ‘Oh, this is definitely … someone is shooting here,'” he said. “So that’s when we ran back into the auditorium of the synagogue, closed the doors behind us so as not to leave a visible target and hit the floor.”
“Literally everyone went down,” he added. “I yelled for everyone to get on to the floor while shots continued for just a few more seconds until it basically stopped.”
Weddum noted there had been an officer stationed outside in an unmarked car.
WATCH | The synagogue president describes what he heard and saw:
Member of Belleville, Ont., synagogue describes hearing shots that left 2 wounded
A police officer and a man were hurt during an exchange of gunfire near a synagogue in Belleville, Ont. Norm Weddum, president of Sons of Jacob Synagogue was ushering members for Yom Kippur when he heard shots and secured the building.
Meeks stated there’s no ongoing threat to public safety; however, police will increase patrols and ensure “a heightened presence” throughout town including places of worship.
“Let me be very clear: Antisemitism hate violence have no place in our community,” she asserted. “Every person deserves to feel safe when attending any place for worship gathering with loved ones or participating in community activities.”
Denette reported four investigators along with two forensic investigators have been sent to assess this complex situation at hand.
“There are dozens of bullet holes scattered across streets behind me; some houses have been hit along with vehicles suffering broken windows,” she explained.” So it would’ve made quite an impact.”
The area will likely remain cordoned off for several days,” she added.
Police alongside Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit are seen Monday at where Sunday evening’s shooting took place half-a-block away from Sons Of Jacob Synagogue located within city limits after injuring both suspect & responding law enforcement personnel still hospitalized.(Ian Mac Alpine/The Canadian Press)
Carny Ford release statements
This year’s observance marked Yom Kippur one most sacred days within Jewish calendar commencing sundown on Sunday evening P>
Prime Minister Mark Carney Ontario Premier Doug Ford among public figures released statements following incident concerning itself P >
“Jewish citizens must feel secure whilst worshipping live freely openly proud lives Canada’s government shall do all they can supporting law enforcement holding accountable perpetrators actions utmost extent law,” Carney expressed via social media P >WATCH | Carney comments on shooting:<img src="https://ontariochronicle. ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/1790017896_995_default. jpg" alt="" class="thumbnail" loading="lazy"/
Carney calls shooting outside Belleville Ont., synagogue ‘deeply distressing’ P >The Prime Minister urged anyone aware information regarding this violent act occurring near synagogues come forward tell authorities expressing heartfelt concerns towards affected communities
Sunday’s events follow previous warnings issued earlier by Carney indicating troubling signs indicating failure confronting rising antisemitism targeting communities collectively.
I’m appalled by shootings occurring location associated Sons Of Jacob earlier tonight congregation gathered observe solemnity surrounding Yom Kippur ,” said Ford through post
“We owe immense debt gratitude brave officers responding promptly ensuring community kept secure , ”
My thoughts go out those impacted members affected congregation targeted unjustly simply wishing honor traditions fundamental belief “
-fordnation
b > span > b > span >P Mayor Neil Ellis expressed shock upon learning news commenting CBC Ontario Morning concerning solidarity extended neighboring communities after occurrence noting “ stuff like doesn’t happen here” adding hope SIU will achieve clarity understanding root cause incident moving forward together despite challenges present facing local society.
Bellevilles current population approximates fifty-five thousand hundred according census conducted twenty twenty-one larger vicinity encompasses approximately one hundred eleven thousand two hundred people serving central hub Hastings County eastern Ontario being third largest city situated roughly175 kilometers east Toronto190 kilometers southwest Ottawa.
