Belleville synagogue gunfight critically injures officer

A police officer was in critical but stable condition after a gunfight outside a synagogue in Belleville, Ontario, as Yom Kippur prayers were about to begin.

Ontario's Special Investigations Unit said a 29-year-old man armed with a shotgun arrived near the Sons of Jacob congregation on Sunday evening and opened fire on a Belleville police officer stationed outside the synagogue.

Multiple officers returned fire, and dozens of rounds were ultimately fired, SIU spokesperson Kristy Dennette said Monday. The gunman was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries.

Canadian police did not say the synagogue, in a community about 180 kilometres east of Toronto, was the target. Dennette said “common sense” would suggest the gunman wanted to fire on the synagogue.

Police provided no information about the gunman's motive or any possible ties to extremist ideology.

Prime Minister Mark Carney said his thoughts were with the injured officer, the officer's family and the Jewish community. Ontario Premier Doug Ford said Jewish people in Belleville and across Ontario had the right to gather and worship safely.

Norman Weddum, the congregation's president, told CBC that the synagogue was under lockdown and the community could not gather there for Yom Kippur on Monday. Asked whether he believed Jews were the target, he said the man was heading toward a synagogue where Jewish people were holding services and that he thought the man's intentions were clear.