Ontario’s police watchdog says a suspect involved in a shootout with police officers outside a Belleville synagogue Sunday night fired the first shot. Special Investigations Unit Spokesperson Kristy Denette told reporters outside the Sons of Jacob Synagogue Monday afternoon that the suspect arrived at the place of worship in a truck armed with a shotgun. “He discharged his firearm at a police officer and then that police officer returned fire and then there was a second officer who arrived and then also discharged a firearm,” she said. Both the suspect, a 29-year-old Quinte West resident, and the officer sustained gunshot wounds and were taken to hospital, the SIU said. The officer is in critical, but stable condition. The suspect is in life-threatening condition. Follow along here for live updates: Police release details about officer who was shot Belleville Dep. Police Chief Sheri Meeks revealed Monday that the officer who was shot in the exchange of gunfire is a 13-year veteran of the force. “He is a long standing and highly respected member of our emergency response unit, known by his colleagues as a dedicated officer, trusted teammate, and committed public servant,” she said. Meeks said there is currently no ongoing threat to public safety, but officers will maintain a visible presence in the area. Phil Tsekouras, CTVNewsToronto.ca journalist SIU says shooting fits the description of a terrorist attack Asked if there was evidence to suggest that Sunday night’s shooting was a terrorist attack, Denette said: “I think that common sense would say that probably was the case.” “I want to be clear: the special investigations unit has a limited mandate, and our mandate is to criminally investigate the actions of police officers, particularly in this case, an officer who discharged a firearm at a person,” she said. “So our mandate, our scope, is kind of more focused on that, and at the same time, there is a parallel criminal investigation going on with the Belleville police. So they’ll be looking at motives, that kind of thing, and any charges against the the individual who who did this.” The Special Investigations Unit is called in when police are involved in an incident that results in death, serious injury, sexual assault, and/or the discharge of a firearm at a person. Phil Tsekouras, CTVNewsToronto.ca journalist 20 to 30 shots fired: SIU Denette said while the investigation is still in its early stages, she said it’s “probably a fair estimate” that 20 to 30 gunshots were fired between the suspect and the two officers. “There were multiple strikes from the officer, and then also sustained by the shooter,” she said. A police cruiser and several other civilian vehicles were also struck by gunfire, Denette added. Phil Tsekouras, CTVNewsToronto.ca journalist ‘You are literally frozen:’ congregation member Doug Lobel was inside Sons of Jacob Synagogue when gunfire first erupted outside and described the initial chaotic moments in an interview with CP24 on Monday morning. Lobel said that about 24 congregation members were inside at the time. He said that many members quickly came to the conclusion that there was a gunman outside after hearing the initial volley of shots but had “no clue” what was happening beyond that. “We just heard a lot of shots fired, we didn’t know if there was more than one shooter, we didn’t know if the officer was still there and the biggest concern was just was the gunman going to breach the doors and start targeting us?” Lobel told CP24. “The thing was like what do we do in that situation? So you are kind of thinking these things but at the same time you are literally frozen and you have no clue what was going on outside.” Lobel said that once the gunfire eventually stopped, those gathered inside the synagogue prayed together and held hands as they waited for police to enter the building. Chris Fox, CP24.com journalist ‘All hell broke loose’: synagogue president Norm Weddum, the president of the Sons of Jacob Synagogue, said the members of his congregation were just sitting down for Yom Kippur service when the first volley of shots rang out. “And, all of a sudden, there was ‘bang, bang, bang,’ and that was the first of the shots being fired, and we’re kind of all in a state of shock. Like, ‘what was that? Was that shooting?’” he told CP24 Monday morning. As many as 25 people were in the temple and Weddum said some members headed to the doors to investigate before another round of shots were fired. “At that point I said, ’This is definitely shots being fired,’” he recalled. “We ushered everyone back into the sanctuary, and I closed the doors because I didn’t want to have a visual target if anyone was coming to the front of the building. So, we closed the wooden doors that lead into the auditorium and the sanctuary, and I yelled to everyone to get down, right onto the floor.” No one inside the synagogue at the time of the shooting was injured. Weddum said he and his congregants were on the floor for what felt like “hours” as the gunman was met by a police officer who was already stationed outside the synagogue. “He (the suspect) wouldn’t have seen the officer because he was in an unmarked vehicle, and I believe that’s when the officer confronted him, and of course, all hell broke loose,” he said. “At that point, the bullets were coming in through the windows of the sanctuary … one of our stained glass windows has got about 20 bullet holes.” Weddum said Belleville’s Jewish community is quite small and his synagogue has never received any threats. Phil Tsekouras, CTVNewsToronto.ca journalist Ford says officer ‘stopped a tragedy in its footsteps’ Premier Doug Ford says that a police officer who was critically injured following an exchange of gunfire with an armed suspect outside a Belleville, Ont. synagogue was a “hero” who “stopped a tragedy in its footsteps.” Ford made the comment to reporters at Queen’s Park on Monday morning in the wake of the shooting outside the Sons of Jacob Synagogue on Sunday night as Jewish people gathered inside to mark Yom Kippur. “I find it disgusting someone would go into a synagogue or potentially go into a synagogue on Yom Kippur or any day or any place of worship. It is disgusting this happens in Canada, happens in Ontario,” Ford said. Both the officer and the armed individual were taken to hospital with critical injuries. No charges have been announced so far. Speaking with reporters, Ford described the officer as “very experienced” and said he is thankful that they were outside the synagogue at the time. “It is unfortunate that we have to do that but we never have enough security and thank God Belleville police had a very experienced police officer at that synagogue,” he said. Chris Fox, CP24.com journalist Carney issues statement While little is known about the circumstances leading up to the shooting, Prime Minister Mark Carney pointed out in a social media post Monday morning that the incident took place on Yom Kippur, the holiest night of the Jewish calendar. “Jewish people must be able to worship safely. To live free, open, proud Jewish lives. Canada’s government will do everything in our power to support law enforcement in ensuring that the perpetrator is held accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” he said in part. Phil Tsekouras, CTVNewsToronto.ca journalist ‘I’m disgusted’: Premier Ford Ontario Premier Doug Ford also released a statement in the hours after the shots were fired, saying he was “disgusted” by the incident and that his thoughts were “with the Jewish community in Belleville and across Ontario.” “I expect that all those responsible are arrested and prosecuted to the full extent of the law,” Ford said. “My thoughts are also with the police officer who was shot, along with their family and loved ones. We owe an immense debt of gratitude to this brave officer and to all the first responders who acted so quickly to keep the community safe.” Phil Tsekouras, CTVNewsToronto.ca journalist Belleville mayor says he’s ‘deeply saddened’ In a statement, Belleville Mayor Neil Ellis said he was “deeply saddened” by the incident. “Violence of this nature has no place in our community. The city of Belleville has zero tolerance for acts of violence motivated by hate. Everyone has the right to feel safe in out community, including when gathering and practicing their faith.” The SIU is expected to provide an update on the investigation at 11 a.m. Phil Tsekouras, CTVNewsToronto.ca journalist Toronto police increasing officer presence Toronto police said it was aware of the shooting, and although there is no known threat or connection to the city, the service is increasing patrols at synagogues and other places of worship out of “an abundance of caution.” Phil Tsekouras, CTVNewsToronto.ca journalist
