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Carney Condemns Belleville Synagogue Shooting That Wounded Police Officer

Carney Condemns Belleville Synagogue Shooting That Wounded Police Officer. Source: Prime Minister of Canada, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney condemned a shooting outside a synagogue in Belleville, Ontario, that left a police officer wounded as members of the Jewish community gathered for Yom Kippur services.

The shooting occurred Sunday evening outside the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville, a city about 190 kilometers (118 miles) east of Toronto. Authorities said the incident happened at approximately 7:10 p.m. near a residential neighborhood in the eastern part of the city.

Carney addressed the Belleville synagogue shooting in a post on X on Monday, stressing the importance of protecting Jewish Canadians and their right to worship without fear.

“Jewish people must be able to worship safely. To live free, open, proud Jewish,” Carney said, noting that the violence occurred on the holiest night of the Jewish calendar.

Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit said the suspected shooter, identified as a 29-year-old man, was in life-threatening condition following the incident. The wounded police officer was described as being in critical but stable condition.

The circumstances surrounding the shooting and what led to the confrontation were not immediately detailed by authorities.

In response to the incident, Toronto Police said it was increasing patrols around synagogues and other places of worship as a precaution. The heightened security comes amid broader concerns about antisemitism and the safety of Jewish communities across Canada.

Carney announced a new federal advisory council in June aimed at combating antisemitism, citing an increase in hate crimes and concerns about the protection of Jewish Canadians.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford also condemned the Belleville shooting. In a social media statement, Ford said members of the Jewish community have every right to gather and practice their faith safely and without fear.

Authorities are continuing to investigate the incident as officials and police agencies increase attention on security around Jewish places of worship.

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