‘You are going to die for the Jews,’ said Belleville shooting suspect: police

Article content

The 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.

Article content

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.

Article content

Article content

“The loss of life and the irreversible damage that could have been rippled through our community for generations cannot be overstated,” he said.

Article content

Article content

Article content

Although he said he could not go into more detail, the evidence collected shows Ward’s intent was to specifically target the Jewish community.

Article content

Article content

The attack was an “exclusive threat to our Jewish community,” said Rodd.

Article content

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.

Article content

Article content

Rodd 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.

Article content

“He was then ambushed on a second pass. That’s when the shooting started,” Rodd said.

Article content

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.

Article content

Article content

Article content

Smith was shot in his vehicle but managed to get out and pursue the gunman.

Article content

Article content

Ward was shot and fatally injured. He died in hospital on Monday.

Article content

Smith was taken to hospital in critical condition. He sustained “multiple gunshot wounds to his head and his body, and continues to receive treatment for significant injuries,” said Rodd.

Article content

“He is expected to undergo multiple surgeries related to serious head trauma. While his recovery will be lengthy and challenging, he is making progress every day.”

Article content

McCurdy was not injured.

Article content

The police chief called both officers heroes.

Article content

Insp. Christine Belair of the RCMP’s Integrated National Enforcement Team could not confirm if Ward had been radicalized while serving in the military. The Department of National Defence told National Post that a man with the same name as Ward served in the Canadian Armed Forces for five years, starting in 2017.

Article content

There have also been reports that Ward was released from service due to his refusal to get a COVID-19 vaccine, according to Global News and The Globe and Mail. Belair could not confirm.

Article content

Ward was from Quinte West, a small city 18 kilometres west of Belleville.