Shooting near Belleville synagogue

A police officer and a man were wounded in an exchange of gunfire on Sunday near the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville, Ontario, about one hundred ten miles east of Toronto.

Incident during Yom Kippur

The shooting happened as members of the Jewish community gathered to mark Yom Kippur. The man was hospitalized in life-threatening condition and the officer was also taken to hospital.

Encounter at seven ten pm

Belleville police said the officer encountered the man at about seven ten pm on Sunday. Police have not said what led to the shooting or whether the synagogue or Jewish community was targeted.

Ford condemns the shooting

Ontario Premier Doug Ford said he was disgusted by the shooting and called for those responsible to be arrested and prosecuted. He said Jewish people have every right to gather and worship safely and without fear.

“I'm disgusted by the shooting that took place outside the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville earlier this evening as Jewish community members gathered to mark Yom Kippur.”

Context of antisemitism surge

The shooting comes months after Prime Minister Mark Carney warned Canada was failing its Jewish community amid a surge in antisemitism. His government announced millions in additional funding for faith-based institutions to pay for security.

Previous attacks on synagogues

Synagogues in the Toronto area have been previously targeted. In March, shots damaged the entrances of synagogues in Vaughan and Toronto with no injuries. Police arrested three suspects in connection with those shootings.