Man shot by police outside synagogue in Canada dies

A man who was shot by Canadian police after opening fire on officers outside a synagogue has died. This happened during a Jewish holiday over the weekend.

The 29-year-old man was carrying a shotgun. He approached a synagogue in Belleville, a city in southeastern Ontario, on Sunday evening. Worshippers were gathering to celebrate Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.

He fired at police, which led officers guarding the Sons of Jacob congregation to return fire.

After the shooting, the man was taken to the hospital. He died on Monday night, according to Kristy Dennette. She is a spokesperson for Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit, the body that looks into police shootings.

Dennette also said that an injured officer is in stable condition at the hospital.

Police have not confirmed if the attack targeted Belleville’s Jewish community. But Dennette mentioned that “common sense” suggests the gunman was aiming to attack the synagogue.

Both Prime Minister Mark Carney and Ontario Premier Doug Ford condemned the shooting.

Canada, like many Western countries, has seen an increase in reported antisemitism over the past three years. This rise comes amid criticism of Israel’s actions since the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023.