Gunman fires into Ontario synagogue on Yom Kippur, cop hospitalized after shooting back

An Ontario synagogue was the site of a Yom Kippur shooting on Sunday night that sent a police officer to the hospital. The Sons of Jacob synagogue in Belleview, ON, dubbed the Friendly City, was targeted on Yom Kippur, one of the most holy and solemn Jewish days of the year, according to the Toronto Sun. While at least two dozen members gathered for services, shots were fired into the synagogue around 7pm. The shots continued for two to three minutes, according to witnesses.

One Bellevue police officer, who was inside the synagogue to provide security, returned fire and was rushed to the hospital. “The officer was shot but seems to be in stable condition and one shooter is in critical condition, from what we understand, but can’t say for sure,” one synagogue member said, who asked to remain anonymous. Another member said, “That officer is a hero.”

Another member of the congregation said, “They never breached the building, but shots came through.” Police think that there was only one shooter, although two shooters were initially suspected. All of the congregants were taken by bus to police headquarters after the shooting. “There is no continuing threat,” one city official stated.

The Sons of Jacob synagogue is near City Hall on a quiet residential street. Neil Ellis, mayor of Belleview, said, “It’s devastating for us. Things like this just don’t happen in Belleview. I’m at a loss for words.” He added, “My heart goes out to the officer and the people who were there.” Ellis said that both the officer and suspect, neither of which have been identified yet, were sent to a hospital in Kingston.

Former MP Ryan Williams, who lives nearby, was told along with neighbors to shelter in place for a time. He said, “I’m shaken by what happened tonight…This is not something we are used to seeing in our city, the Friendly City.” He added, “On Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish year, members of Bellevue’s Jewish community should have been able to gather and worship in peace. Instead, their synagogue became the scene of gunfire."

In March, three Toronto synagogues were the targets of shootings within a 5-day period. “This was an act of terror meant to intimidate and frighten our community,” Rabbi Daniel Korobkin said at the time.

A Bronx man was charged in August with federal hate crimes over a synagogue attack during Shabbat services and an attacker shouting ‘Allahu Akbar’ stabbed a Jewish man outside of a synagogue in New York City in July.