A 19-year-old man from Durham Region has been taken into custody for threatening to attack a synagogue. His arrest came just one day before an incident where a gunman shot at the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville, Ont., injuring Const. Jeff Smith, who was on duty outside.
Alexander Parfitt, who lives in Whitby, is alleged to have made threats about carrying out a shooting on an online message board, as reported by Durham Regional Police. Officers learned of these threats through a partner agency.
The police were able to track down the individual and executed a search warrant at his home in Whitby on September 19.
He has been charged with making threats driven by hate.
The shooting in Belleville, located around 140 kilometers west of Whitby, occurred around 7 p. m. on Sunday when 29-year-old Sean Ward fired shots at the synagogue.
Bullet holes can be seen on the stained glass windows of the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville, Ont., following the shooting that injured a police officer on September 20.
At that time, approximately 25 congregants were inside for evening prayers during Yom Kippur, which is considered the holiest day in Judaism. Thankfully, none of them were harmed. Officer Smith was transported to Kingston General Hospital where he remains in critical but stable condition.
In contrast, the suspect is reported to be in life-threatening condition.
Multiple police and ambulance vehicles responded to reports of a shooting in Belleville on Sunday, September 20.
Durham police mentioned they have increased patrols during Jewish high holidays at community centers and places of worship due to safety concerns.
Synagogues across Canada have faced increasing antisemitic attacks recently.
Earlier this year in January, a synagogue in Winnipeg was vandalized with swastikas. In March, three synagogues within the Greater Toronto Area were shot at. In June, authorities arrested someone after an attempted arson at a Montreal synagogue.
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