Officer Injured in Shootout Outside Synagogue in Eastern Ontario During Yom Kippur

A Belleville police officer and a male suspect have been taken to hospital after reports of an evening shootout at a synagogue in the eastern Ontario city as congregants were celebrating Yom Kippur on Sept. 20.

The Belleville Police Service has called in the province’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) to investigate after the incident, according to a statement posted to social media.

The SIU confirmed the shootout in a statement which also said the 29-year-old male suspect is “in hospital in life threatening condition” and the officer is in “critical-stable condition.”  

Neither police nor the SIU has said what led to the shooting or if the synagogue was the target, but Police Association of Ontario President Mark Baxter said on social media that the officer was shot while “bravely guarding the Sons of Jacob Synagogue and the Jewish community during Yom Kippur.”

The SIU said the officer was near the synagogue at Victoria and Bleecker avenues when there was “an exchange of gunfire involving a man armed with a shotgun” at approximately 7 p.m.

The Belleville Police Service said there was no risk to public safety and declined to provide further information. The force has referred requests for comment to the SIU, the civilian agency that investigates serious incidents involving police.

The SIU said four investigators and two forensic investigators have been assigned to the case.

Multiple witnesses, including some of the roughly 20 to 25 congregants who were inside the building celebrating Yom Kippur, said they heard multiple gunshots, according to local media at the scene. Some reported hearing at least 20 to 30 shots and others said there were as many as 40.

One Belleville resident posted a video to social media after the shooting occurred, showing police cruisers blocking off the area. The resident said he was half a block away walking home when he “heard 40 shots.”

Another resident on a nearby street captured a video in which gunshots could be heard.

Bay of Quinte MP Chris Malette said he was “shocked and appalled by the horrible act of violence” in Belleville, a city of roughly 50,000 people located two hours east of Toronto. It is the largest city in the Bay of Quinte riding.

“On the eve of the holiest of Jewish holidays, Yom Kippur, gunfire tore through the otherwise peaceful neighbourhood where Jews have gathered in peace and prayer for decades,” he said in a statement. “An officer has sustained gunshot wounds and is thankfully recovering and, for that, we offer our heartfelt thanks for his heroism and support to both him and his family.”

Belleville Mayor Neil Ellis said he was “deeply saddened and disturbed” by the shooting.

“Violence of this nature has no place in our community,” he said in an emailed statement. “The City of Belleville has zero tolerance for acts of violence motivated by hate. Everyone has the right to feel safe in our community, including when gathering and practising their faith.”

Ellis commended the officer who was shot in the line of duty as well as the entirety of the Belleville force for “its swift response and continued efforts to keep our community safe.”

“Our thoughts are with Belleville’s Jewish community and all those impacted by tonight’s incident,” he added. “Our thoughts are also with the injured officer, and we are praying for their recovery.”

Shooting Reactions

Prime Minister Mark Carney condemned the incident and said Jewish people “must be able to worship safely.”

“Canada’s government will do everything in our power to support law enforcement in ensuring that the perpetrator is held accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” he said in a social media post.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford said he was “disgusted” by the shooting outside the synagogue.

“My thoughts are with the Jewish community in Belleville and across Ontario, who have every right to gather and worship safely and without fear,” Ford said in a statement. “I expect that all those responsible are arrested and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”

He said the province owes “an immense debt of gratitude” to the officer who was shot as well as to “all the first responders who acted so quickly to keep the community safe.”

Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree said he was “outraged” by the shooting.

“Jewish communities must be able to feel safe in Canada. I’m thinking of the officer who was injured while responding, and wishing him a speedy recovery,” he said on social media. “Law enforcement have our full support as they continue their investigation.”

Conservative MP Shelby Kramp-Neuman, who lives just 30 minutes north of Belleville, said she was “deeply concerned” about the shooting during Yom Kippur, a day when “many Jewish Canadians who may not regularly attend synagogue come together with their community.”

“My thoughts are with the congregation, their families, and everyone affected tonight,” the Hastings—Lennox and Addington—Tyendinaga MP wrote on social media.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre called on the government to take action to prevent such incidents.

“This vile antisemitic violence in Canada must end,” he said on social media. “Jewish Canadians must once again be able to live in their communities and pray in their places of worship without fear of being shot at or attacked.”

Police Association of Ontario president Baxter described the shooting as “absolutely appalling news” in his social media post confirming the attack.

“Our thoughts are with the officer, their loved ones, and everyone affected by this horrific act,” he said. “Everyone deserves to feel safe in their homes and places of worship. Those responsible must be held fully accountable.”

Several police forces in the Greater Toronto Area also commented on the shooting and promised increased patrols near synagogues.

Toronto Police said it was increasing “visibility and patrols” at city synagogues and other places of worship “out of an abundance of caution,” while York Regional Police said “residents can expect increased patrols, as officers will continue to be visible where people gather to worship.”