Police officer, man injured in shooting near Belleville synagogue

A police officer and a 29-year-old man were injured in an exchange of gunfire near the Sons of Jacob synagogue in Belleville, Ontario, on Sunday night, September 20, 2026. The incident occurred as congregants gathered to mark Yom Kippur, the holiest day on the Jewish calendar. The Special Investigations Unit (SIU), Ontario's police watchdog, confirmed it is investigating the shooting. Belleville Police Service reported that an officer encountered an individual near Bleecker Avenue and Victoria Avenue at approximately 7:10 p.m. The SIU stated the exchange of gunfire involved a 29-year-old man armed with a rifle and the police officer. Both individuals were transported to the hospital. The suspect was taken with life-threatening injuries, while the officer was hospitalized in critical but stable condition. The SIU has assigned four investigators and two forensic investigators to the case. Norm Weddum, president of the Sons of Jacob synagogue, stated that the officer had been hired to protect the congregation that day and was parked in an unmarked vehicle. Weddum said the officer engaged the shooter as he approached the building, saving lives.