Shooting near Ontario synagogue on Yom Kippur leaves police officer wounded

Updated on: September 22, 2026 / 2:30 PM EDT / CBS/AP

A police officer was wounded in an exchange of gunfire Sunday outside a synagogue in Ontario as members of the Jewish community marked Yom Kippur, authorities said. Police identified the suspect as Sean Ward, 29, from Quincy West. The suspect was hospitalized with serious injuries after the shooting and later died, police said Tuesday.

The province's Special Investigations Unit (SIU) said the shooting happened near the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville, Ontario, about 110 miles east of Toronto. Belleville police said the officer, who was stationed outside of the synagogue, encountered the man around 7:10 p.m. local time.

Police have not said what led to the shooting or whether the synagogue or Jewish community was targeted, However, asked whether the shooting was premeditated and could potentially be considered an act of terrorism against the Jewish community, SIU spokesperson Kristy Denette said at a news conference Monday that "common sense would say that probably is the case."

Denette said investigators believe the gunman traveled in the area by truck and discharged his shogun at a police officer, who returned fire. A second officer later arrived at the scene and…

Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/world/