In Canadian Belleville, an unknown person opened fire at a synagogue on Yom Kippur

An unknown person opened fire on the evening of September 20 at the entrance to the Sons of Jacob synagogue in Canadian Belleville during Yom Kippur prayers, the day of repentance sacred to Jews. A police officer who was guarding the synagogue stopped the attacker and shot him with his service weapon.

When the shooting began at the entrance, worshippers locked the doors and lay on the floor. No one inside was injured.

The police officer managed to wound the attacker, but he was also injured himself. Both are now in the hospital in extremely critical condition.

The bullets shattered the stained glass windows and left marks on the building's walls. Belleville Jewish community chairman Norman Veddum told CNN that the police officer likely saved the lives of everyone gathered for prayer.

Veddum added that the community specifically hires police protection for Yom Kippur and does so for every holiday because of fears of antisemitic attacks. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney strongly condemned the attack on the social network X and wrote that the Jewish people must practice their faith in complete safety and that the Government of Canada will do everything possible to support justice and ensure the perpetrator is punished under the law.

Sources

• Radio Liberty