OMM Redaksiyası
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and other political leaders have condemned what they described as antisemitic violence after a shooting outside a Jewish synagogue in Belleville, Ontario, left a police officer critically injured. Reuters reported that the incident took place on Sunday night during Yom Kippur, Judaism’s holiest day.
Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit said the shooting occurred at about 19:00 local time outside the Sons of Jacob Synagogue. Police said a suspect armed with a shotgun opened fire on an officer stationed outside the synagogue. Authorities have not identified a motive or confirmed whether the synagogue was specifically targeted.
Carney said on “X” that Jewish people “must be able to worship safely” and live “free, open, proud Jewish lives”.
Suspect and officer critically injured
SIU spokesperson Kristy Denette said the officer returned fire and another officer also discharged a weapon. Between 20 and 30 shots were fired, she said.
The suspect was in life-threatening condition, while the officer was in critical but stable condition. Denette described the scene as “quite, quite” serious.
Asked whether the incident was being treated as a terrorist attack, Denette said “common sense would say that probably was the case”. No formal classification was announced.
Security increased around places of worship
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said he was “disgusted” by the shooting and stressed that members of the Jewish community had the right to gather and worship safely and without fear.
Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre called the incident “vile antisemitic violence” and urged Carney’s government to take immediate action to protect Canadians.
Belleville police have increased patrols and will maintain a heightened presence across the city, including near places of worship, Deputy Chief Sheri Meeks said. The Belleville Police Service and the SIU are investigating the shooting.
Police in Toronto, about 187 kilometres from Belleville, also said they were increasing patrols outside synagogues and other places of worship as a precaution.
