Belleville police chief Murray Rodd reported on October 4 that officer Jeff Smith, injured during a shootout outside a synagogue on September 20, is recovering steadily after multiple surgeries. Chief Rodd stated that despite being shot multiple times and sustaining critical injuries, Constable Smith continues to show improvement each day. The shooting occurred when Sean Ward, 29, opened fire at the officer who was guarding the Sons of Jacob synagogue during Yom Kippur celebrations; Ward died from his injuries a day after the incident.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-08,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Const. Jeff Smith, a Belleville, Ont., officer, is recovering "steadily" after being shot multiple times outside the Sons of Jacob synagogue during Yom Kippur celebrations on Sept. 20. The suspect, Sean Ward, a 29-year-old man from Quinte West, was also injured and died the following day. Smith's injuries were severe enough to put him in critical condition initially; however, he has since undergone multiple surgeries and continues to improve daily under ongoing medical care. Belleville police Chief Murray Rodd reported that while Smith is making "remarkable progress," police have evidence corroborating Ward’s intent, though specifics remain undisclosed.
Written for “Synagogue Shooting In Belleville” on 2026-10-08,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
The Belleville, Ont., police officer who was injured in a shootout outside a synagogue last month is “improving each day,” the chief of police says.
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Const. Jeff Smith is making “steady progress” and has undergone multiple surgeries, Belleville police Chief Murray Rodd said in a statement Wednesday.
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Smith was stationed outside the Sons of Jacob synagogue during Yom Kippur celebrations on Sept. 20 when the shooting unfolded.
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Police say Sean Ward, a 29-year-old man from Quinte West, shot at Smith.
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Ward → say → Smith
The officer was rushed to hospital in critical condition.
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officer → rush → condition
Ward was also injured but died in hospital a day after the shooting.
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Ward → injure → shooting
“I am pleased to share that Constable Smith continues to make steady progress and is improving each day.
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His treatment has included multiple surgeries, and he continues to receive ongoing medical care.
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he → include → care
Considering the extent of his injuries, he is doing remarkably well, and we remain encouraged by his resilience and recovery,” Rodd said.
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Rodd → consider → resilience
“Every message, letter, card, and well wish received from across Ontario and beyond has been deeply appreciated.”
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Rodd added police have met with officials, community and public safety leaders since the incident and have “reaffirmed our commitment” to protecting the community from hate and violence.
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Smith was shot multiple times but still engaged suspect
Smith was shot multiple times, Rodd has previously said, with the first round hitting him before he even exited his vehicle to return fire.
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It was less than three minutes before a second officer engaged in the situation.
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That officer, Const. Michael McCurdy, did not sustain any injuries.
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Smith noticed Ward passing by earlier in the day but was not alarmed, police said during a Sept. 24 news conference.
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He was then “ambushed on a second pass.”
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Smith suffered from multiple gunshot wounds to his head and body.
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The officer’s wife posted a message on Facebook on Sept. 23, thanking the community for the “outpouring of love and support.”
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wife → post → love
She also extended her condolences to the Jewish community and the residents of Belleville.
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Why police say shooting was ‘hate-motivated’
Police said on Sept. 24 they had evidence the shooting was motivated by hate.
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shooting → propose → hate
“The suspect had the means, the motive and the mechanisms to cause a mass casualty and the destruction of the Jewish synagogue,” Rodd said at the time.
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No one inside was injured, police said.
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Police showed a video recording from the area of the shooting in which the shooter appears to tell Smith, “You are going to die for the Jews.”
Rodd said that police have evidence that will corroborate the intent “in more detail,” but did not provide any specifics.
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He said there were materials in the shooter’s car that would be considered “combustible.”
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The investigation remains ongoing.
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The province’s police watchdog, the Special Investigations Unit, is also completing its own investigation into the conduct of the officers as is customary when actions taken may have resulted in death, serious injury or the discharge of a firearm.
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