A 29-year-old man who was shot during an exchange of gunfire with police outside a Belleville synagogue has died, according to a report first broadcast by CP24.
Sean Ward of Quinte West was shot Sunday evening outside the Sons of Jacob Synagogue as worshippers prepared for Yom Kippur services. The SIU says Ward was armed with a shotgun and exchanged gunfire with a Belleville police officer, who was also wounded.
The officer, identified as Const. Jeff Smith, was initially critically injured but has since been described as stable. The SIU continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting, including the events leading up to the exchange of gunfire.
Investigators have not formally determined a motive. The SIU said Monday that between 20 and 30 shots were fired, while synagogue officials said some bullets shattered stained-glass windows. No worshippers were reported injured.
(Richard Evans)
