Belleville Police revealed that 29-year-old Sean Ward, a Quinte West resident, was the alleged shooter in Sunday’s Yom Kippur synagogue incident in Belleville, which led to a police officer and the shooter being hospitalized, with some 20 or more bullets flying through the synagogue where worshipers were celebrating.
Sherry Meeks, the Deputy Chief of the Belleville Police Service, told reporters on Monday that the shooting, which left Constable Jeff Smith in intensive care, was carried out by Ward.
Constable Smith is now reportedly in stable condition.
“What I can speak to today is the impact this event has had on our community and on the members of the Belleville Police Service. During the incident, Constable Jeff Smith sustained serious injuries,” Meeks said.
She added that Smith has served his community “with distinction” for nearly 13 years.
“He is a long-standing and highly respected member of our emergency response unit, known by his colleagues as a dedicated officer, trusted teammate, and committed public servant,” Meeks said.
“Today, I am relieved to share that Constable Smith is recovering in the intensive care unit. He continues to face a significant road to recovery. His condition has stabilized, and we remain hopeful and encouraged by his progress.”
Several photos have begun circulating online of the alleged suspect. Juno News has decided not to publish those photos until they’re confirmed to be of the shooter.
Alleged images of the shooter show that a man of the same name was a member of the Canadian Armed Forces at least eight years ago.
Juno News has reached out to individuals believed to be Ward’s family and others who identified themselves as having attended the same schools as Ward in the Belleville area, but has not received a response.
Neither the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) nor the Belleville police were immediately available to identify whether Ward was a member of the CAF or if they believe the weapon used in the attack was taken from the nearby Trenton CFB Air Base.
This is a developing story.
Quinte West has CFB Trenton which is one of the largest in Canada. There is a large military presence in that area.