The Belleville Police Service announced Thursday that a Sept. 20 armed assault on a local synagogue was a premeditated, hate-motivated attack intended to cause a mass casualty event. Belleville Police Chief Murray Rodd stated during a news conference that 29-year-old Sean Ward of Quinte West specifically targeted members of the city’s Jewish community as a Yom Kippur service got underway.
Synagogue Ambush Thwarted by Responding Officers
On Sunday just after 7 p.m., shots erupted outside the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in a residential part of Belleville. Police played a video clip during the Thursday briefing showing part of the shootout, in which Ward and Const. Jeff Smith crouched by vehicles as gunfire sounded. According to the police service, Ward shouted, “You are going to die for the Jews” during the confrontation. Chief Rodd stated that Constables Jeff Smith and Michael McCurdy prevented the attacker from entering the building. “The only thing that stopped entry into the synagogue to execute the intent were the two officers,” Rodd said.
Did You Know? Before opening fire, Sean Ward conducted a reconnaissance of the Sons of Jacob Synagogue grounds while a police officer was present, according to Belleville Police Chief Murray Rodd.
Suspect’s Arsenal and Evidence of Intent
Investigators revealed that Ward, a former Canadian Forces soldier released from the military in 2022, was armed with a shotgun and carried a significant amount of ammunition. Chief Rodd noted that Ward also had combustible materials, including gasoline, in his truck, along with other weapons and the means to sustain a prolonged gun battle. During the exchange, Ward suffered life-threatening injuries and died in the hospital. Doug Lobel, a Sons of Jacob member inside the synagogue during the attack, described the incident by saying, “It’s … terrifying really how close we came to such a massacre.”
Injured Officer’s Recovery and Ongoing Investigation
Const. Jeff Smith sustained multiple gunshot wounds to his head and body after being hit while inside his cruiser. Chief Rodd reported that Smith is making progress every day despite facing a lengthy recovery that will include multiple surgeries for serious head trauma, fractures, and shrapnel wounds. Meanwhile, the RCMP’s Integrated National Enforcement Team is assisting local investigators as they examine the evidence gathered from the scene and the suspect’s residence.
Frequently Asked Questions [Question 1] When did the shooting take place? [Answer based strictly on the source] The shooting occurred on Sunday just after 7 p.m., as a Yom Kippur service was getting underway. [Question 2] Who was identified as the gunman? [Answer based strictly on the source] The gunman was identified as 29-year-old Sean Ward of Quinte West, a former Canadian Forces soldier released from the military in 2022. [Question 3] Which officers engaged the suspect? [Answer based strictly on the source] Constables Jeff Smith and Michael McCurdy confronted the attacker during the shootout outside the synagogue.
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