‘You are going to die for the Jews,’ said Belleville shooting suspect: police

Police shared a video of the suspect involved in a shooting outside of a Belleville synagogue that left a police officer injured. Photo by Joe Warmington /X

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The suspect in the synagogue attack in Belleville, Ont., shouted “You are going to die for the Jews” before an exchange of gunfire with police, according to a video played at a police press conference Thursday.

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Belleville Police Chief Murray Rodd said it was a hate-motivated crime and that 29-year-old Sean Ward had the “means, the mechanism and the motive” to launch a larger attack.

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Although he said he could not go into more detail, the evidence collected shows Ward’s intent was to specifically target the Jewish community.

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The attack was an “exclusive threat to our Jewish community,” said Rodd.

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He shared the seconds-long video in which a man can be heard yelling, followed by the sound of two loud shots outside of the Sons of Jacob Synagogue just after 7 p.m. on Sunday. Inside the synagogue about 25 people were gathered for Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. None were injured.

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Police continue to investigate a shooting outside of Belleville’s Sons of Jacob Synagogue, Tuesday September 22, 2026. Photo by Peter J Thompson/National Post

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Rodd said Ward used a shotgun and had other resources available, including gasoline, and a “significant amount” of ammunition on him. Earlier that day, Ward was doing reconnaissance near the synagogue, according to the chief.

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He said he was only stopped by Const. Jeff Smith, who was stationed outside the synagogue, and a second officer, identified as Const. Mike McCurdy, who arrived at the scene a little more than two minutes after the gunman opened fire.

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Sean Ward, the suspect in a shooting at a Belleville, Ont., synagogue. Photo by Doug Ward/Facebook

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Smith was shot in his vehicle but managed to get out and pursue the gunman.

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Ward was shot and fatally injured. He died in hospital on Monday.

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Smith was taken to hospital in critical condition and is facing multiple surgeries. McCurdy was not injured.

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The police chief called both officers heroes.

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