Shooting near Ontario synagogue during Yom Kippur
A police officer and a man were wounded in an exchange of gunfire Sunday near a synagogue in Ontario as members of the Jewish community marked Yom Kippur, reports BritPanorama.
The province’s Special Investigations Unit stated that the incident occurred near the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville, Ontario, approximately 110 miles east of Toronto. Authorities indicated the officer encountered the man around 7:10 p.m., with both individuals subsequently transported to a hospital.
Details surrounding the shooting remain unclear, including the circumstances that led to the gunfire or whether the synagogue or the Jewish community was specifically targeted. However, police assured the public that there was no ongoing risk to safety and advised residents to avoid the area while the investigation continued.
The Special Investigations Unit, which examines serious incidents involving police, dispatched investigators to the scene. Local police noted they would refrain from providing further information until the investigation was complete.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford confirmed that the shooting took place outside the synagogue as congregants gathered for Yom Kippur. “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,” he stated on social media.
Ford emphasized that Jewish individuals “have every right to gather and worship safely and without fear,” advocating for the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the incident. He also expressed concern for the wounded police officer and their family.
York Regional Police reported no known threats in the surrounding region, although residents should anticipate heightened patrols at places of worship.
This shooting occurs amid rising antisemitism in Canada, a concern highlighted earlier by Prime Minister Mark Carney. He pointed to various violent incidents against the Jewish community, which led to his government allocating additional funds for enhanced security at faith-based institutions.
Previous shootings have also targeted synagogues in the Toronto area. In March, bullets damaged synagogues in Vaughan and Toronto without causing injuries. Three suspects were later arrested in connection with those events.
The situation underscores ongoing concerns about safety within religious communities across Canada.
