Synagogue attacker Sean Ward sued military over COVID vaccine mandate - National Post
People protest against COVID-19 vaccine mandates, including for Canadian Forces members, at the National War Memorial in Ottawa on Thursday, Jun. 30, 2022. Photo by Errol MCGihon/PostmediaArticle contentSean Ward, the gunman who died in a shootout during “a targeted attack against the Jewish community” at an Ontario synagogue, was one of dozens of Canadian soldiers and former soldiers suing the government over directives requiring COVID-19 vaccines.
Ward was involuntarily discharged from the Canadian Armed Forces when he was deemed “unsuitable for further service” after defying the military’s vaccine mandate during the pandemic, according to court documents. He was seeking $1,500,000 in general damages and additional compensation for a financial loss of $140,000.
The lawsuit claims Ward, 29, refused to be vaccinated “on religious grounds” but his claim for an exemption was refused by military officials.
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“He has served honourably for almost 5 years. He was told no exemption to receiving the injections would be made. Mr. Ward did not accept the injections,” the lawsuit’s statement of claim says.
The lawsuit describes Sean Douglas Reginald Ward as holding the rank of Corporal in the infantry with the 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, based at Canadian Forces Base Edmonton.
Ward’s military training as an infantry soldier becomes particularly important as police continue to probe Sunday’s shooting at the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville, Ont., as about 25 people gathered for Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.
On Thursday, Belleville Police Chief Murray Rodd said Ward came well-armed with a shotgun, other undisclosed weapons, a significant amount of ammunition, containers of gasoline and additional resources.
A Belleville police officer posted outside the synagogue, Const. Jeff Smith, was shot several times by Ward and remains in serious condition. Ward was killed in a subsequent firefight with Smith and a second officer, Const. Mike McCurdy, police said.
Rodd said a video of the attack, shown by police, reveals Ward calling out, presumably to Smith or McCurdy, saying: “You are going to die for the Jews.”
