Belleville Police Service held a press conference on Thursday revealing new details of their investigation into the shooting attack outside the Sons of Jacob Synagogue, which has been confirmed to be a hate-motivated attack.
During the event, Belleville Police Chief Murray Rodd explained new details of their ongoing investigation that he was able to share with the public. He was joined by representatives from many surrounding police services who had offered their assistance during the attack and following the investigation, as well as Ontario Solicitor General Michael Kerzner.
“As the facts have become clear, so too has the significance of what has been prevented by our police service,” said Chief Rodd. “This was a hate-motivated crime. This was a deliberate attack directed at members of the Jewish community during one of the holiest observances of the year.”
The shooter, 29-year-old Sean Ward from Quinte West, was confirmed to have been carrying multiple firearms, with a large supply of ammunition. He was also confirmed to have been carrying gasoline and other combustible materials inside his vehicle. While it was confirmed that Ward used a shotgun in his attack, the other types of firearms he was carrying were not confirmed by police. A video was shown to members of the press in attendance which was captured from a nearby home. In the video, Ward is shown exchanging fire with Belleville Police Constable Jeffery Smith, while shouting, “You are going to die for the Jews!”
In a timeline of the attack, it was revealed that Constable Smith was shot while still inside his vehicle, before exiting to engage the shooter. Constable Smith engaged in a shootout with the shooter for approximately two minutes and forty-five seconds before fellow Belleville Police Constable Mike McCurdy arrived on scene. Constable McCurdy also engaged the shooter, bringing the assault to an end. Ward was then shot by officers, and later died in hospital.
Constable Smith remains in hospital recovering from serious wounds, stemming from being shot multiple times during the attack. The constable suffered bone fractures and shrapnel strikes as well during the attack. He was said to be recovering well, despite the extent of his injuries. Constable McCurdy was confirmed to be uninjured.
Solicitor General Kerzner also praised the officers for their quick response, while condemning hate-based attacks.
“A line of decency has been crossed in our province. A line of decency of having an individual act in such a hateful and anti-Semitic attack is unacceptable,” said Kerzner. “A horrible catastrophe in the making almost was fulfilled right here at a beautiful synagogue on a beautiful evening at Victoria and Bleecker, and thanks to the incredible work of our police service here, and specifically Constable Smith and Constable McCurdy, it did not happen.”
A GoFundMe has been established in support of Constable Smith and his family, to help them on his long road to recovery. You can donate to the GoFundMe here. That fundraiser has so far raised over a half a million dollars. A separate GoFundMe has also been started in support of the Sons of Jacob Synagogue to help cover repair costs. That fundraiser can be found here.
