Shooting near Belleville synagogue leaves two injured, including police officer - Toronto Star

The incident occurred shortly after 7 p.m., and involved an exchange of gunfire, the Special Investigations Unit said.

A man was in hospital with life-threatening injuries, according to the SIU.

A shooting near a Belleville, Ont., synagogue left a police officer injured Sunday night as many were gathering to observe Yom Kippur. 

An officer encountered an individual at about 7:10 p.m. in the area of Bleecker and Victoria avenues, the Belleville Police Service said in a news release.

Both were injured and transported to the hospital, police added.

Officers noted that there was no further threat to public safety, but advised the public to avoid the area.

Belleville police notified Ontario’s police watchdog, the Special Investigations Unit, which later said it invoked its mandate “following an exchange of gunfire near the Sons of Jacob synagogue.”

The SIU said Monday morning that a spokesperson would provide an update from the area at about 11 a.m.

The watchdog is called to investigate the conduct of officers in Ontario when police interactions may have resulted in death, serious injury, a firearm discharge or sexual assault.

Toronto police have increased patrols at synagogues and other places of worship “out of an abundance of caution,” they posted on social media Sunday night, adding that there’s no known threat to Toronto. 

Ontario Premier Doug Ford reacted to the incident in a social media post Sunday.

“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 wrote. “I expect that all those responsible are arrested and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow issued a statement regarding the need for increased security for Jewish communities following the incident.

“Jewish Torontonians should not need police presence to observe Yom Kippur, or to simply live their day-to-day lives,” she said on social media Sunday night.

She also added that “no expense will be spared” in keeping the community safe amid rising antisemitism.

Ottawa South MPP John Fraser called the shooting at a place of worship “cowardly and disgusting.”

Fraser also said no one at the synagogue was injured.

Samm Mohibuddin is a staff reporter with the Toronto Star. He can be reached at smohibuddin@thestar.ca 

Joshua Smith is a staff reporter with the Toronto Star. He can be reached at joshuasmith@thestar.ca.