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Sean Ward, a 29-year-old former member of Canada's military who refused a COVID-19 vaccine and was subsequently discharged, is suspected in a shooting outside a synagogue in Belleville, Ontario on September 20. According to reports by Global News and The Globe and Mail, Ward allegedly spouted antisemitic conspiracy theories, including blaming Jews for the pandemic. During the incident, police Constable Jeff Smith was shot while guarding the synagogue; other officers then returned fire, leading to Ward’s hospitalization with life-threatening injuries, from which he later died.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-09-23,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
On September 20, 2023 in Belleville, Ontario, Canada, a police officer was shot during an interaction with an individual near the Sons of Jacob Synagogue around 7:10 p.m. Both the officer and the individual sustained injuries and were transported to the hospital. The incident occurred as Jewish community members gathered for Yom Kippur services. Ontario's Special Investigations Unit (SIU) was notified and is investigating the shooting. Premier Doug Ford condemned the attack, stating that those responsible should be arrested and prosecuted. Local police have not provided further details about the incident while the investigation continues.
Written for “Belleville Synagogue Shooting” on 2026-10-05,
grounded in this article and the 55 other(s) covering the same event.
Sean Ward, the 29-year-old suspect of a shooting that took place outside a synagogue in Belleville, Ont. served in the Canadian military and was discharged after refusing a COVID-19 vaccine, according to reporting by Global News and The Globe and Mail.
uncertain
that → take → News
One source told Global News that he “spouted” antisemitic conspiracy theories, including one that blamed the Jewish community for COVID.
asserted
that → tell → COVID
According to the World Jewish Congress, myths about Jews being responsible for the pandemic spread online and at demonstrations around the world.
uncertain
Jews → accord → world
“While some of these bigoted messages appeared new, they were repackaged antisemitic tropes,” the congress said.
asserted
congress → appear → tropes
Two sources from the Department of National Defence told the Globe and Mail that after five years, Ward was released because he was unsuitable for service.
asserted
he → tell → service
One source told the Globe and Mail and Global News that his release was due to his refusal to get a COVID vaccine.
asserted
release → tell → vaccine
It is believed that Ward arrived near the synagogue in a truck and was armed with a shotgun on Sept 20.
asserted
Ward → believe → Sept
Ward allegedly opened fire on Belleville police Const. Jeff Smith, who was stationed there due to safety concerns from the community.
uncertain
who → open → community
According to Global News, Belleville police were only assigned to the synagogue because congregants had reported a suspicious vehicle parked outside a week earlier.
uncertain
congregants → accord → vehicle
Smith and other officers who were called to the scene fired back at Ward, Special Investigations Unit spokesperson Kristy Denette said at a news conference.
asserted
Denette → call → conference
Ward was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries.
asserted
Ward → take → injuries
He died on Tuesday.
asserted
He → die → Tuesday
An autopsy is set for Wednesday.
asserted
autopsy → set → Wednesday
A GoFundMe set up on behalf of Toronto’s Jewish community for the officer has reached more than $350,000.
asserted
GoFundMe → set → 350,000
He was part of the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, based in Edmonton, and was never deployed.
asserted
He → base → Edmonton
The PPCLI Regimental Headquarters and the Department of National Defence did not immediately respond to National Post’s request for comment about Ward.
asserted
Headquarters → respond → Ward
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