news

7 P.M. Shooting Outside Belleville, Ontario, Synagogue Wounds Officer

News

· news, world

Police vehicles with lights on parked outside a synagogue building at night
Illustration

A police officer was shot outside the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville, Ontario, on Sunday night while Jewish community members were gathered for Yom Kippur, according to Belleville Police and Ontario Premier Doug Ford, ABC News reported.

What happened at the scene?

Belleville Police said the officer encountered an individual in the area of Bleecker Avenue and Victoria Avenue around 7 p.m. Sunday. Both the officer and the individual were injured and taken to hospital, according to police. Details about how the encounter unfolded were not released.

Where is Belleville, Ontario?

Belleville sits approximately 110 miles east of Toronto, according to police. The Sons of Jacob Synagogue was holding Yom Kippur services at the time of the shooting, per Ford's statement.

What is the officer's condition?

Further details about the officer's condition were not immediately available as of Sunday night, according to the report. Police have not said whether the officer sustained life-threatening injuries or released the individual's condition beyond confirming both were hospitalized.

Who is investigating, and what happens next?

Ontario's Special Investigations Unit, the province's civilian police watchdog, is investigating the shooting, according to Belleville Police. The SIU typically reviews incidents involving police that result in death, serious injury, or allegations of sexual assault. No timeline for the investigation's conclusion was provided.

What have officials said about the shooting?

Ford condemned the incident in a statement and called for anyone responsible to be arrested and prosecuted.

"My thoughts are with the Jewish community in Belleville and across Ontario, who have every right to gather and worship safely and without fear. I expect that all those responsible are arrested and prosecuted to the full extent of the law," Ford said. "My thoughts are also with the police officer who was shot, along with their family and loved ones. We owe an immense debt of gratitude to this brave officer and to all the first responders who acted so quickly to keep the community safe."

Ford also thanked first responders for what he described as a quick response to protect the congregation.

Is this a developing story?

Yes. ABC News labeled its report a developing story as of late Sunday, and additional details on the officer's condition, a possible motive, or charges had not been released. Belleville Police had not identified the individual involved in the shooting or specified whether that person faces charges.

Disclosure. Legal entity: Pinewood Creations LLC. Smorgi Apps appears only as an affiliate partner in house slots — not as publisher or owner. See our affiliate disclosure.

Questions

Where did the shooting happen?

Outside the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville, Ontario, a city about 110 miles east of Toronto, according to Belleville Police.

Who is investigating the shooting?

Ontario's Special Investigations Unit, the province's civilian police watchdog, is investigating, Belleville Police said.

Sources

More from HTT News

Briefing

Top stories from the HTT News network by email. Free. No noise.