The President of Sons of Jacob Synagogue Norm Weddum has talked to Quinte News, following what he calls a hate-motivated attack in Belleville Sunday evening.
The photo above paints a picture of what happened.
There was a shooting at the Jewish place of worship, on Yom Kippuer, the holiest day of the year.
CLICK HERE for Zach McGibbon’s initial on-scene coverage of what took place.
In a Quinte News exclusive, we spoke to the president of the Sons of Jacob Synagogue Norm Weddum.
He says he arrived just before celebrations began, he spoke to a police officer they hired for security, then went in to join services and worship.
“We were starting to usher people into the sanctuary and that’s when we heard the first shots. It was bang, bang, bang, bang. Then it happened again. A few of us went out into the lobby, and that’s where the shots were continuing and they were very distinct.”
“I yelled at everyone to get down on the ground, and we closed the doors into the auditorium. There was numerous shots after that and at that point, too, there were shots through the stained-glass window in the building. There are about 20 bullet holes in the windows right now.”
“We did see that an injured officer was being tended to. We were ushered back inside. Later on, I did see a second person on a stretcher being put into a second ambulance. So, I assume that was the shooter.”
“He was targeting the Jewish people in the synagogue. That’s what it boils down to. You’re not walking down Victoria Street (Avenue) on a Sunday stroll carrying a rifle (believes it was a rifle, but did not have confirmation) in front of a synagogue.”
He says many of the national and international media reports did have some incorrect information.
“The shooting occurred nearby the synagogue—no, he was at the synagogue, in front of it, targeting us. We have the bullet holes in the windows to prove it.”
“It’s obviously very unusual for Belleville to have this happen, but I mean, this certainly isn’t going to shut us down or stop us. Yes, we won’t be having services because we can’t get into the building at the moment because it is a crime scene being looked after by the police. We will resume, and we’re not going to stop.”
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Belleville Mayor Neil Ellis released a statement CLICK HERE for that story
