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Wife of Belleville police officer critically injured in shooting outside synagogue releases statement

A Belleville police officer is critically injured after a shooting outside a synagogue, with his wife publicly pledging support for his recovery.

  • On Sunday, Sean Ward, 29, opened fire outside the Sons of Jacob synagogue in Belleville, Ontario, during Yom Kippur, critically injuring Belleville Police Service Const. Jeff Smith during an exchange of gunfire.
  • Witnesses estimate between 25 and 30 shots were fired, striking nearby homes and the synagogue's windows; Ward, a former Canadian Armed Forces member, arrived armed with a shotgun.
  • Ashley Smith, the officer's wife, described the incident as "the scariest and darkest day of our lives" in a social media update, commending the "life-saving hands" of medical teams.
  • Smith remains in critical but stable condition at Kingston General Hospital, while Ward died in hospital three days after the shooting.
  • The Jewish community organized a GoFundMe campaign raising more than $435,000 toward a $450,000 goal, with organizer Derek Kreindler describing the effort as expressing "profound gratitude" for Smith's service.
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Global News broke the news in Toronto, Canada on Wednesday, September 23, 2026.
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