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Man and police officer wounded in exchange of gunfire near Ontario synagogue
theguardian.com • • world
Key Points:
- A police officer and a man were wounded in a gunfire exchange near the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville, Ontario, during Yom Kippur observances; the man is in life-threatening condition.
- Authorities have not disclosed the motive or whether the Jewish community was specifically targeted, but have assured the public there is no ongoing risk and have urged people to avoid the area during the investigation.
- Ontario Premier Doug Ford condemned the shooting, emphasizing the right of Jewish people to worship safely and calling for the perpetrators to be arrested and prosecuted.
- York regional police reported no known regional threat but announced increased patrols at places of worship to enhance security.
- The incident follows a rise in antisemitic attacks in Canada, with Prime Minister Mark Carney recently highlighting the issue and the government allocating funds to improve security for faith-based institutions.
