Security has been increased throughout Belleville, especially at places of worship, in the aftermath of a shooting at and around the site of the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville.
Sunday night around 7:10 pm, shots rang out near Victoria and Bleeker Avenue. The synagogue is located at the southeast corner of that intersection.
A media event was held nearby in Belleville at noon on Monday with officials with the SIU and Belleville Police providing more information.
Deputy Chief of Belleville Police Service Sheri Meeks identified the shooter who was critically injured at the scene as 29-year-old Sean Ward of Quinte West.
He was reportedly armed with a shotgun. Ward was critically injured and remains in hospital with life-threatening injuries.
The officer who was stationed at the scene just east of the synagogue who initially engaged the shooter has been identified as Constable Jeff Smith, who has more than a dozen years of service with Belleville Police. He remains in hospital in serious condition in the intensive care unit but is expected to recover.
A total of two Belleville Police officers exchanged fire with the assailant outside the synagogue. There were no reported injuries to the second officer.
The synagogue was struck a number of times, doing damage to a stain-glass window on the east side of the building. President of the Sons of Jacob Congregation Norm Weddum says there were no injuries inside the synagogue. Several vehicles and some houses in the area were also hit.
Resident Jill Sherrard, who lives in the area, said she heard several rounds of loud ‘pops’ not long after 7 p.m. Sunday.
“At first, I thought it was fireworks, but it’s daylight and they don’t usually pop them off that early.”
“It was in rapid succession. It was scary. I was paranoid at first, because you don’t automatically go to guns.”
The Special Investigations Unit has now taken over the investigation into the incident. They say the site may remain cordoned off for a couple of days. They are still trying to contact witnesses in the area and speak to anyone who may have information or dashcam or other video footage. If you have information, please contact the SIU. An official on scene said there was no word yet on a motive but that “common sense” indicated it may have been a targeted attack.
Meeks says “our thoughts are with Constable Smith and his colleagues. We are incredibly grateful for the support shown to him and the Belleville Police Service. Antisemitism and hate have no place in our community. We are maintaining a higher police presence throughout the city including (especially) at places of worship. I also want to assure people that there is no ongoing threat with regards to this incident.”
Kingston Police have dispatched several vehicles and officers to Belleville to provide general assistance. Cruisers from both services were stationed at various points around the shooting area, along with multiple vehicles and six dedicated investigators (four general and two forensic) from the SIU.
