'You are going to die for the Jews,' said Belleville shooting suspect: police - National Post
This is a still image of a video police have shared, showing the suspect involved in a shooting at a Belleville synagogue that was "hate-motivated" and "targeted" the Jewish community. Photo by Joe Warmington/XArticle contentThe suspect in the synagogue attack in Belleville, Ont., shouted “You are going to die for the Jews” before an exchange of gunfire with police, according to a video played at a police press conference Thursday.
Belleville Police Chief Murray Rodd said it was a hate-motivated crime and that 29-year-old Sean Ward had the “means, the motive and the mechanisms” to launch a larger attack.
“The loss of life and the irreversible damage that could have been rippled through our community for generations cannot be overstated,” he said.
This is the Disturbing antisemitic terror attack and hate crime outside the Sons of Jacob in Belleville on Yom Kippur. pic.twitter.com/Mr8MA2finK
Although he said he could not go into more detail, the evidence collected shows Ward’s intent was to specifically target the Jewish community.
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The attack was an “exclusive threat to our Jewish community,” said Rodd.
He shared the seconds-long video in which a man can be heard yelling, followed by the sound of two loud shots outside of the Sons of Jacob Synagogue just after 7 p.m. on Sunday. Inside the synagogue about 25 people were gathered for Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. None were injured.
Police continue to investigate a shooting outside of Belleville’s Sons of Jacob Synagogue, Tuesday September 22, 2026. Photo by Peter J Thompson/National PostArticle contentRodd said Ward used a shotgun and had other resources available, including gasoline, and a “significant amount” of ammunition on him. Earlier that day, Ward was doing reconnaissance near the synagogue, according to the chief. Const. Jeff Smith, who was stationed there for the evening service, saw the suspect but did not see him do anything suspicious.
“He was then ambushed on a second pass. That’s when the shooting started,” Rodd said.
He said Ward was only stopped by Smith and a second officer, identified as Const. Mike McCurdy, who arrived at the scene a little more than two minutes after the gunman opened fire.
Sean Ward, the suspect in a shooting at a Belleville, Ont., synagogue. Photo by Doug Ward/FacebookArticle contentSmith was shot in his vehicle but managed to get out and pursue the gunman.
