A police officer and a man were wounded in an exchange of gunfire Sunday near a synagogue in Ontario as members of the Jewish community celebrated Yom Kippur, authorities said. Police identified the suspect as Sean Ward, 29, of Quincy West. He was hospitalized in life-threatening conditions. The province’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) said the exchange of gunfire occurred near the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville, Ontario, about 110 miles east of Toronto. Belleville police said the officer, who was stationed outside the synagogue, encountered the man around 7:10 p.m. local time and both were taken to a hospital. Police said there was no ongoing risk to public safety and asked people to avoid the area while officers investigated the scene. Police have not said what led to the shooting or whether the synagogue or the Jewish community was targeted. However, when asked if the shooting was premeditated and could be considered an act of terrorism within the Jewish community, SIU spokesperson Kristy Denette said at a news conference Monday that “common sense would say that’s probably the case.” Denette said investigators believe the gunman traveled through the area in a truck and fired his shogun at a police officer, who returned fire. A second officer later arrived at the scene and also fired a firearm, according to the spokesperson, who estimated between 20 and 30 rounds were fired in total. Some homes and vehicles were affected, Denette said. He could not confirm whether the synagogue was also attacked. Synagogue president Norman Weddum told CBC News Network that he was leading people into the sanctuary to begin services when he heard gunshots. “I could say, ‘Oh, it’s definitely someone… shooting here,'” he told the outlet. “That’s when we ran back to the synagogue auditorium, closed the doors behind us so as not to leave a visible target. And we fell to the ground.” Police and the Ontario Special Investigations Unit are pictured at the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville, Ont., Monday, Sept. 21, 2026. Ian MacAlpine/The Canadian Press via AP Ontario Premier Doug Ford said the shooting took place outside the synagogue as people gathered for Yom Kippur. He said in a social media post that he was “disgusted by the shooting and that Jewish people “have every right to gather and worship safely and without fear.” He called for those responsible to be arrested and prosecuted. “My thoughts are also with the police officer who was shot, along with his family and loved ones,” Ford said. Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow also condemned the violence.” Toronto Jews should not need the presence of the police to observe Yom Kippur, or simply to live their daily lives. lives,” he said on social media. “As we deal with rising anti-Semitism and hate, we will spare no expense to keep the community safe.” The SIU, a civilian agency that investigates serious incidents involving police, said it sent investigators to the scene. Belleville police said they would not provide any further information while the investigation was ongoing. York Regional Police said there was no known threat in the region, but residents should expect increased patrols at places of worship. The first Minister Mark Carney said on Monday: “Jewish people must be able to worship safely. To live a free, open and proud Jewish life.” “The government of Canada will do everything in our power to support law enforcement and ensure that the perpetrator is held accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” he said on synagogue arson attacks on community centers and Jewish-owned businesses announced millions in additional funding to help religious institutions pay for security infrastructure, training and staff. Synagogues in the Toronto area have also been targeted by gunfire in March, with gunfire damaging the entrances to synagogues in Vaughan and Toronto. Police subsequently arrested three suspects in connection with those shootings. Detroit-area Temple Israel was attacked on March 12. 41-year-old rammed his truck full of fireworks and gasoline deep into the building. The FBI called it an “act of violence directed against the Jewish community.”
