Belleville police have confirmed that an officer and an “individual” have been taken to hospital after reports of a shootout in the area of the Sons of Jacob Synagogue at Bleecker Avenue and Victoria Avenue on Sunday evening.
A number of police officers and police vehicles, including Belleville police’s armoured Community Safety Vehicle, could be seen at the scene as well as paramedics.
Drones were also spotted in the area.
Multiple witnesses tell Quinte News on scene that they heard between 20 and 30 gunshots fired.
“Just one at first, and then about five, 10 seconds later, it literally was like bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang,” nearby resident Josee tells media.
“I stepped out on the porch to kind of see where it was coming from. We heard it coming from down the (road), and I saw a truck driving off of the road onto the sidewalk, and then I pulled out my phone and took a little video of that, and then I heard more gunshots. So I stopped recording and called 911,” Josee told media in her account of the incident.
Video played to Quinte News showed a silver Chevrolet Silverado driving off the road as described and a loud bang could be heard before the video ends.
“I ran inside and locked all my doors because I was like, I don’t know what’s going on, and yeah, pretty scary.”
Another local resident, identified as Sheldon, told Quinte News that he could hear the gunshots from as far as Meyers Pier.
“I was sitting down at the pier with my son-in-law, and my son-in-law ended up hearing about nine shots. Then all of a sudden, it escalated further,” Sheldon said in his recount.
Sheldon told media that he heard about 25 gunshots ring out.
A security guard at the synagogue, identified as Mike, spoke to the media about hearing the gunshots.
“I’m doing security. I’m walking around outside, up and down the sidewalk, and then I walk back into the synagogue. Just walk down the stairs into the sanctuary, and I hear this pop, pop, pop, pop, like this big pop. So like bang, bang, bang, bang.”
He said there were about 20 people in the synagogue for Yom Kippur at the time of the shooting.
“When I was inside, I could see somebody running, through the window, like the shadow of a man. So that’s all I saw.”
After the incident, a Belleville Transit bus was seen entering the scene, picking up people, and driving them away from the area.
Belleville Transit bus seen picking up residents near the Sons of Jacob Synagogue. September 20, 2026. (Photo: Zach McGibbon/Quinte News)
Belleville Police say the province’s Special Investigations Unit has been notified of the incident and that Belleville police cannot provide further comment at this time.
Members of the public are asked to avoid the area and follow directions from emergency personnel.
Police say there is no risk to public safety.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has commented on the shooting in a post to social media.
I’m disgusted by the shooting that took place outside the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville earlier this evening as Jewish community members gathered to mark Yom Kippur.
My thoughts are with the Jewish community in Belleville and across Ontario, who have every right to…
— Doug Ford (@fordnation) September 21, 2026
We will have more information as it becomes available.
With files from Quinte News’ John Spitters
