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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.