Belleville police say a Sunday-night shooting outside the Sons of Jacob Synagogue on Yom Kippur was a deliberate, hate-motivated attack on the Jewish community. Constable Jeff Smith, shot multiple times, confronted the gunman; the suspect later died.
Police Chief Murray Rodd said Smith suffered gunshot wounds to his head and body and remains in hospital, expected to undergo multiple surgeries for serious head trauma. Rodd said Smith left his car to engage the armed suspect despite life-threatening injuries. Constable Mike McCurdy arrived almost three minutes later and joined the gunfight without being injured.
Police identified the gunman as 29-year-old Sean Ward of Quinte West; he was hospitalized with serious injuries and later died. Authorities said about 20 to 30 shots were fired. Toronto police increased patrols outside synagogues and other places of worship as a precaution.
