About 60 people gathered in downtown Belleville Monday evening, September 21, for a hastily organized vigil supporting a wounded Belleville Police officer and the city’s Jewish community, less than 24 hours after gunfire erupted outside the Sons of Jacob Synagogue.
The vigil was held in Market Square and had been announced only about two hours earlier.
There was a visible police presence throughout the gathering as residents came together to show their support for Const. Jeff Smith, the synagogue congregation and the broader Jewish community.
At one point, everyone attending joined hands in a circle of solidarity.
Smith remains in hospital in critical but stable condition following Sunday’s exchange of gunfire near the synagogue.
The suspect has been identified as Sean Ward, 29, of neighbouring Quinte West.
The shooting occurred at approximately 7 p.m. Sunday as members of the Sons of Jacob congregation were preparing to begin Yom Kippur services, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.
The Ontario Special Investigations Unit is investigating the circumstances surrounding the exchange of gunfire.
‘We have an active shooter’
Among those attending Monday night’s vigil was Norm Weddum, president of the Sons of Jacob Synagogue, who was inside the building when the shooting began.
Weddum said he arrived at the synagogue around 6:45 p.m. and spoke briefly with Smith, who was stationed nearby in an unmarked police vehicle.
Minutes later, as the congregation prepared to begin its Yom Kippur service, Weddum said the sound of gunfire suddenly broke out.
“Bang bang bang. I thought, ‘What the heck is that?’”
When the gunfire continued, Weddum said he realized what was happening.
“It was shots fired.”
He immediately ushered people back into the sanctuary and closed the doors.
“All I thought of was I don’t want a visible target if the guy comes up the stairs.”
Weddum then told approximately 25 members of the congregation inside to get down.
“Everyone get down on the floor. We have an active shooter.”
The gunfire continued, with bullets striking the synagogue’s stained-glass windows.
Weddum said some bullets travelled across the sanctuary and struck the opposite wall.
The shooting seemed to last for a long time to those inside, although Weddum said it was likely less than a couple of minutes.
After the shooting stopped, Weddum said members of the congregation looked outside and saw a heavy police presence.
They also saw Smith being treated by officers.
A second ambulance later arrived and took the other injured person to hospital.
‘He was out to kill Jews in the synagogue’
The question of whether the synagogue was deliberately targeted was also raised at Monday night’s vigil.
Weddum said he has no doubt in his mind that the synagogue was the intended target, based on what he witnessed Sunday night.
According to Weddum, Ward arrived in a pickup truck and parked across the street from the Sons of Jacob Synagogue.
Weddum said Ward then exited the vehicle carrying what he described as a sawed-off shotgun and began approaching the building.
Smith was stationed nearby in an unmarked police vehicle and, according to Weddum, spotted the armed man before he reached the synagogue.
“He parked in front of the synagogue. He was approaching it with a saw off shotgun on a Sunday afternoon. He wasn’t out for a stroll.”
Weddum said he believes the officer’s intervention prevented Ward from reaching the building, where approximately 25 members of the congregation were preparing to begin Yom Kippur services.
“He was out to kill Jews in the synagogue. I mean, why else would he have been there?”
That account has not been established as the official motive for the shooting.
The circumstances surrounding the incident, including whether it was a hate-motivated attack or specifically targeted the Jewish community, remain under investigation.
For Weddum, however, the presence of Smith outside the synagogue was critical.
“Again, he for us is a hero because he put his life on the line.”
Weddum said the congregation had requested a police officer be present during the Yom Kippur service several weeks earlier.
“He probably thought he was going to have a nice peaceful evening doing reports or whatever, and little did he know he’d be fighting for his life.”
Weddum said the presence of Smith potentially prevented an even greater tragedy.
“If he hadn’t been there, that guy could have come into our building. And I’m sure I wouldn’t be talking to you right now if he had entered the building.”
He said the approximately 25 people inside the synagogue have been left traumatized by what happened.
“People that were in there are traumatized and in shock and it’s going to take a while a bit for them to recover.”
Weddum also spoke about the concern within the Jewish community over antisemitism.
“Anti-semitism in Canada, even around the world, is getting really bad now.”
‘This is why we’re here tonight’
Belleville Mayor Neil Ellis attended the vigil and thanked residents for coming together despite the short notice.
“I’d like to thank the community for coming together tonight. This was short notice. Who put it on Facebook to get everybody out to show solidarity with our Jewish families and to show solidarity to hope that Constable Smith is doing well.”
Quinte West MP Chris Malette also attended the vigil.
Malette, who lives only a few blocks from the synagogue, said he has developed a close relationship with the congregation and its members.
He said Monday’s violence was particularly shocking because it happened so close to home.
“This is just it’s just unspeakably sad.”
Malette said the fact the suspect is from Quinte West also added another dimension to the incident.
“You don’t want to think that somebody in your home community could do something like this.”
He said the investigation will have to determine what drove the suspect to the synagogue area.
“We’re going to find out what possibly would drive someone to do such a hateful act.”
But for Monday night, he said the focus was on those affected.
“The immediate thoughts are with the family of the officer, with the congregation of Sons of Jacob, and that’s where we’re at and that’s why we’re here tonight.”
Malette pointed to Belleville’s history of coming together following tragedy.
“We’ve seen this community come together in times of great tragedies.”
He said Monday night’s gathering demonstrated that spirit once again.
“Less than 24 hours after the incident, here we are.”
As the vigil continued, residents stood together in Market Square, many holding hands in silence.
For a community still trying to absorb what happened Sunday night, the message was simple — support for an injured police officer, support for Belleville’s Jewish community, and a public rejection of violence.
And on Monday night, Belleville stood together.
Update – Terrorism Possibility Examined After Gunfire Erupts at Belleville Synagogue
Video – Photo Gallery – Belleville Synagogue Area Locked Down After Sunday Night Shooting
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
