Peterborough police are increasing their presence at Beth Israel Synagogue on Monday (September 21) following a shooting outside a Belleville synagogue that left a police officer and a 29-year-old man in hospital.
In a statement issued Monday, Peterborough police chief Stuart Betts said he has spoken with the president of Beth Israel Synagogue about the situation and its local impacts, as well as with Belleville’s police chief to offer support.
“As a service we are being vigilant and there will be heightened police presence at the synagogue here in Peterborough throughout the day,” Betts said.
Betts’ statement comes the morning after an exchange of gunfire near the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville on Sunday evening, as members of the Jewish community gathered for the beginning of Yom Kippur, which is one of the most sacred days of the Jewish calendar.
In its statement, the Peterborough Police Service acknowledged the impact the incident could have on local residents’ sense of security, calling the known details of the incident “difficult to hear, process and quite frankly, angering.”
“While the details of the incident have not been widely made available, we want our community to know that we are aware that these events can be concerning and cut at our sense of safety.”
Chief Betts also expressed support for the injured Belleville officer.
“I have had a conversation with the Chief in Belleville to offer our support and of course relay our best wishes to their injured officer,” he said.
“Our thoughts are with the officer who was shot during this incident while ensuring the safety of others in their community,” the Peterborough Police Service statement said. “We wish them a full and speed recovery surrounded by family, friends, and colleagues.”
Peterborough mayor Jeff Leal also issued a statement on Monday about the Belleville shooting.
“My thoughts are with the Jewish community in Belleville, here in Peterborough, and across Canada,” Mayor Leal said.
“It is especially disturbing that this violence occurred at a synagogue as members of the Jewish community gathered to observe Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. Everyone deserves to gather, to worship, and to practice their faith in safety and without fear. Antisemitism, hate, and violence have no place in our communities.”
The mayor added that the “what happened in nearby Belleville will be deeply felt by Jewish members of our own Peterborough community. At this difficult time, I encourage everyone to show friendship, empathy and kindness to our Jewish friends, family members, and neighbours.”
“My thoughts are also with the Belleville Police Service officer who was injured in the shooting, as well as the officer’s family and loved ones. We are grateful to the police officers and first responders who acted to protect the community during this frightening incident.”
“Peterborough stands with the Jewish community in Belleville and here at home,” Leal said.
Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating the Belleville shooting.
According to the agency’s preliminary information, a Belleville police officer was near the synagogue, in the area of Victoria and Bleecker avenues, at approximately 7 p.m. when an exchange of gunfire occurred involving a man armed with a shotgun.
The man and the officer suffered gunshot wounds and were taken to hospital. In its Monday release, the agency described the officer’s condition as critical but stable and the man’s injuries as life-threatening. Four investigators and two forensic investigators have been assigned to the case.
Sons of Jacob Synagogue president Norman Weddum told CBC News he was ushering people into the sanctuary to begin services when he heard gunshots. He said the officer had been stationed outside the building in an unmarked car.
After going to the lobby and realizing someone was shooting, Weddum said he ran back into the auditorium, where those gathered took cover.
“So that’s when we ran back into the auditorium of the synagogue, closed the doors behind us so as to not leave a visible target and we hit the floor,” he told CBC.
“Literally everyone went down,” he said. “I yelled for everyone to get on to the floor and the shots continued for a few more seconds, and then it was basically over.”
Police had not said what led to the shooting or whether the synagogue or Jewish community was targeted. Belleville police said there was no risk to public safety and asked people to avoid the area while officers investigated.
Prime Minister Mark Carney and Ontario Premier Doug Ford were among the public figures who issued statements following the shooting.
“Jewish people must be able to worship safely. To live free, open, proud Jewish lives,” Carney wrote on social media.
Ford expressed gratitude to the wounded officer and other first responders.
“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,” he said.
Weddum told CBC the congregation could not return to the synagogue on Monday to complete its Yom Kippur services because the building remained closed for the investigation.
“Once the building is released we’ll get back to having services,” he said. “We will carry on.”
