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A police officer and a man were wounded in an exchange of gunfire Sunday near a synagogue in the southern Ontario community of Belleville as members of the Jewish community marked Yom Kippur, authorities said. The man was hospitalized in life-threatening condition.
Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit said the exchange of gunfire happened near the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville, about 175 kilometres east of Toronto. Belleville police said the officer encountered the man around 7:10 p.m. and that both were taken to a hospital.
Police have not said what led to the shooting or whether the synagogue or Jewish community was targeted. They said there was no risk to public safety and asked people to avoid the area while officers investigated.
The Special Investigations Unit, the civilian agency that investigates serious incidents involving police, said it sent investigators to the scene.
Belleville police said they would not provide further information while the investigation was underway.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said the shooting took place outside the synagogue as people 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,” Ford said in a post on social media.
Ford said Jewish people “have every right to gather and worship safely and without fear” and called for those responsible to be arrested and prosecuted.
“My thoughts are also with the police officer who was shot, along with their family and loved ones,” Ford said.
Surge in antisemitism
York Regional Police said there was no known threat in the region but residents should expect increased patrols at places of worship.
Sunday’s shooting comes months after Prime Minister Mark Carney warned that Canada was failing its Jewish community amid a surge in antisemitism.
Carney cited shootings at Jewish schools, firebombings of synagogues and attacks on community centers and Jewish-owned businesses. His government announced millions in additional funding to help faith-based institutions pay for security infrastructure, training and personnel.
Synagogues in the Toronto area have also previously been targeted by gunfire. In March, shots damaged the entrances of synagogues in Vaughan and Toronto. No one was injured. Police later arrested three suspects in connection with those shootings.
