BELLEVILLE, Ontario (TNND) \u2014 A man accused of opening fire on a police officer outside an Ontario synagogue during Yom Kippur has been identified as a 29-year-old from nearby Quinte West, authorities said Monday.<\/p>\n
The shooting outside the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville, about 110 miles east of Toronto, sparked an exchange involving as many as 30 shots, according to Ontario\u2019s Special Investigations Unit, which investigates police-involved shootings.<\/p>\n
Police said Sean Ward arrived in a truck shortly after 7 p.m. Sunday and fired a shotgun at Const. Jeff Smith, a nearly 13-year veteran of the Belleville Police Service who was stationed outside the synagogue. Smith returned fire, and a second officer who arrived at the scene also fired, officials said.<\/p>\n
Ward was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries. Smith suffered serious injuries but was stable Monday, Deputy Police Chief Sheri Meeks said during a news conference, adding that he faces a \u201csignificant road to recovery.\u201d<\/p>\n
Investigators found dozens of bullet holes in nearby homes and vehicles along a stretch of street about half a block from the synagogue, according to SIU spokesperson Kristy Denette. Authorities are reviewing body-camera, police-vehicle and surveillance footage, along with witness accounts, as they work to establish the sequence of events.<\/p>\n
Officials provide update on shooting outside Ontario synagogue on Yom Kippur (POOL)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
No synagogue congregants were reported injured.<\/p>\n
Police have not announced a motive or determined whether the synagogue or Jewish community was specifically targeted. The SIU is examining the officers\u2019 actions, while Belleville police are conducting a separate criminal investigation into Ward\u2019s actions and a possible motive.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt would have been quite, quite the scene indeed,\u201d Denette said of the gunfire.<\/p>\n
The shooting occurred as Jewish congregants marked Yom Kippur, the holiest day on the Jewish calendar. Meeks said police have increased patrols around places of worship but that there was no ongoing threat to public safety.<\/p>\n
\u201cAntisemitism, hate and violence have no place in our community,\u201d Meeks said. \u201cEvery person deserves to feel safe when attending a place of worship.\u201d<\/p>\n
Belleville Mayor Neil Ellis said it was too early to determine whether the shooting was a hate crime, but said the location and timing raised concerns.<\/p>\n