‘Jewish people must be able to worship safely’: Carney, Poilievre and others condemn Belleville synagogue shooting

Multiple police and ambulance vehicles are shown Sunday, Sept. 21 responding to a reported shooting in Belleville. A city police officer and a lone suspect were rushed to Kingston General Hospital after gunfire outside the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in the east end around 7:10 p.m. Photo by DEREK BALDWIN/THE INTELLIGENCER

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Prime Minister Mark Carney and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, along with other politicians and police forces across Canada, have condemned antisemitic violence following a shooting that took place outside the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville, Ont., on Sunday night.

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Two people, including a police officer, were wounded in the incident that occurred as worshippers gathered for Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar. No one inside the synagogue was hurt, according to a social media statement by the Sons of Jacob Congregation. A police officer and suspected gunmen were injured and taken to Kingston General Hospital after exchanging gunfire outside the synagogue.

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“Jewish people must be able to worship safely. To live free, open, proud Jewish lives,” Carney wrote in a statement on X. “Canada’s government will do everything in our power to support law enforcement in ensuring that the perpetrator is held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. My thoughts are with the injured officer and his family, and the entire Jewish community.”

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Poilievre echoed Carney’s support for the Jewish community, but called on the government to take action. “This vile antisemitic violence in Canada must end, and this Liberal government must act now to protect our people,” the opposition leader wrote in a statement on X.

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“Jewish Canadians must once again be able to live in their communities and pray in their places of worship without fear of being shot at or attacked.”

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Belleville Police said on social media that one of their officers “encountered an individual in the area at about 7:10 p.m.” and “the officer and the individual sustained injuries and were transported to hospital,” adding that there was no further threat to public safety.

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The province’s Special Investigations Unit said the “exchange of gunfire” involved a 29-year-old man “armed with a shotgun” who is now in life-threatening condition. The officer is listed as critical but stable.

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Other political leaders have expressed sorrow and support for the Jewish community following the shooting. Tyler Allsopp, Progressive Conservative MPP for the Bay of Quinte riding, representing Belleville, said in a statement on X that he is “heartbroken” by news of the incident.

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“My thoughts go out to all members of our Jewish community, and to the police officer who was wounded and his family,” he said. “This attack was a disgusting act and it has no place in our society. It is my sincerest hope that the individual responsible feels the full weight of justice.”

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