Suspect in Yom Kippur shooting outside Ontario synagogue dies from his injuries

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BELLEVILLE, Ontario (AP) — A 29-year-old man suspected of opening fire on a police officer stationed outside an Ontario synagogue during Yom Kippur has died from his injuries, the province’s police watchdog said Tuesday.

Belleville police identified the man as Sean Ward of Quinte West . Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit, an independent civilian agency that investigates police shootings, said Ward died Monday night.

The Department of National Defense said Ward joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 2017 and served as an infantry soldier before leaving in 2022 at the rank of corporal. He did not deploy during his service.

Prime Minister Mark Carney, in New York for the U.N. General Assembly, declined to comment on questions about the suspect’s former military service, but praised the wounded police officer, Jeff Smith, for his “heroic actions” and said “no effort will be spared” in the investigation.

The Special Investigations Unit has said a man armed with a shotgun opened fire on a police officer stationed outside the Sons of Jacob synagogue on Sunday night, triggering a shootout that…