Key facts
- A shooting occurred outside the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville, Ontario, on Sunday evening during Yom Kippur.
- A police officer was critically injured in the incident.
- The suspect, a 29-year-old man, is in life-threatening condition.
- Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney condemned the violence, stating Jewish people must be able to worship safely.
- Ontario Premier Doug Ford and opposition leader Pierre Poilievre also condemned the shooting.
- Police have increased patrols around places of worship in Belleville and Toronto.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney condemned antisemitic violence after a shooting outside the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville, Ontario, on Sunday evening during Yom Kippur services. The incident left a police officer critically injured and the suspect in life-threatening condition.
Carney stated on X that "Jewish people must be able to worship safely. To live free, open, proud Jewish." He had previously announced a federal advisory council to combat antisemitism in June, citing a surge in hate crimes.
The shooting occurred around 7:10 p.m. on Sunday, according to the Belleville Police Service. Ontario's Special Investigations Unit reported the suspect was 29 years old, and the wounded officer was in critical but stable condition. The SIU spokesperson indicated that "common sense would say that probably was the case" when asked if the incident was being considered a terrorist attack.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford expressed disgust over the shooting, emphasizing the Jewish community's right to gather and worship safely. Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre urged the government to "act now to protect our people" in response to the "vile antisemitic violence."
The Belleville Police Service has increased patrols around the city, particularly near places of worship. Toronto's Police Service also increased patrols outside synagogues and other places of worship as a precaution, despite being approximately 187 kilometers (116 miles) away.