A police officer and a man were injured in an exchange of gunfire near a synagogue in Belleville, Ontario, on Sunday evening as members of the Jewish community gathered for Yom Kippur. The man was hospitalized in life-threatening condition, while the officer was also taken to a hospital for treatment. Authorities said there was no ongoing threat to the public.
Shooting Reported Near Sons of Jacob Synagogue
The incident occurred at approximately 7:10 p.m. near the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in the area of Bleecker Avenue and Victoria Avenue in Belleville, a city roughly 110 miles east of Toronto.
According to police, an officer encountered a man in the area before an exchange of gunfire took place. Both the officer and the man were subsequently transported to a hospital. The man’s injuries were described as life-threatening.
The synagogue was holding Yom Kippur services when the shooting occurred. No worshippers inside the synagogue were reported injured. Authorities have not determined whether the synagogue or members of the Jewish community were specifically targeted.
Ontario Police Watchdog Investigates
Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU), which investigates incidents involving police that result in serious injury or other significant circumstances, has taken over the investigation.
Police have not released details about what led to the confrontation or identified the man involved. Investigators are working to establish the sequence of events and determine the circumstances surrounding the exchange of gunfire.
Authorities said there was no continuing danger to the public and urged people to stay away from the area while the investigation was underway. Belleville police have also said they would limit further comment while the SIU investigation continues.
Security Concerns Grow Around Jewish Places of Worship
The shooting comes amid broader concerns about security at Jewish institutions in Canada. Ontario officials and police agencies have responded by increasing attention and patrols around synagogues and other places of worship.
Toronto and York Regional police said there was no known threat to their respective areas but indicated that additional patrols would be carried out as a precaution.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford condemned the shooting and expressed support for the Jewish community and the injured police officer. The incident has also renewed attention on security concerns surrounding Jewish institutions following previous shootings that damaged synagogues in the Toronto area earlier this year.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have not announced a motive or confirmed whether the shooting was connected to Yom Kippur or the synagogue itself.
