What do you do when the unthinkable happens in your own backyard?
That’s what we Belleville residents are trying to cope with today, following word that shots were fired just outside the Sons of Jacob Synagogue last night around 7 pm.
Bullets from a secondary volley did strike the building causing a number of holes in the stained glass.
Thankfully, none of the people who were gathering inside for the start of Yom Kippur services were injured, though a Belleville Police officer and a second person from outside (likely the shooter) were rushed to hospital.
I would like to add my voice to Mayors Neil Ellis of Belleville, Brian Ostrander of Brighton, Premier Doug Ford, MPP Tyler Allsopp, MP Chris Malette, and Prime Minister Mark Carney who all issued statements overnight condemning the shooting and saying that no one should face the threat of violence in their place of worship.
We stand with our Jewish community as they deal with the shock and horror. You have our full support and wishes for some of the peace that was stolen from you to be restored.
We wish for a speedy recovery for the officer who was shot and send our thoughts of support to all members of the Belleville Police Service and our thanks for their work last night, today and everyday putting themselves on the line for our safety.
Our thoughts are with the people who live in that neighbourhood who were witness to this act of violence and feared for their own families.
The answers won’t come today. I only hope we can find them all, together, in time.
I’m Paul Martin and that’s what I see looking Beyond the Headlines.
