Authorities in southern Ontario have identified the gunman and the police constable shot in an exchange of gunfire near a synagogue over the weekend.

Sept. 21 (UPI) -- Authorities in southern Ontario on Monday identified the gunman and the police constable shot in an exchange of gunfire near a synagogue over the weekend, as investigators probe the shooting.

Kristy Denette with the Special Investigations Unit, Ontario's civilian police oversight agency, told reporters during a press conference near the crime scene in the city of Belleville that preliminary information indicates that a man drove in a truck to an area near the Sons of Jacob synagogue, and, armed with a shotgun, opened fire on a Belleville police constable stationed outside the place of worship after 7 p.m. on Sunday, the start of Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year in the Jewish calendar.

That constable returned fire, as did a second who arrived on the scene, she said, explaining that the gunman had made it within a block of the synagogue.

Both the gunman and the initial officer sustained multiple bullet wounds and were transported to the hospital where the gunman remains in life-threatening condition and the constable was in serious but stable condition.

Deputy Chief Sheri Meeks of the Belleville Police Service identified the suspect as 29-year-old Sean Ward of neighboring Quinte West and the wounded officer as Const. Jeff Smith, a nearly 13-year veteran of the force.

"Today, I'm relieved to share that Const. Smith is recovering in the intensive care unit," Meeks said. "While he continues to face a significant road to recovery, his condition has stabilized and we remain hopeful and encouraged by his progress."

Few specifics about the Sunday night shooting were made public during the press conference, with Denette explaining that the SIU's mandate is to investigate the police-involved shooting, while the Belleville Police Service is conducting the criminal investigation.

Asked if the Jewish community was the gunman's target, Denette hedged, stating she would only be speculating but "I think that common sense would say that probably was the case."

It was unclear how many shots were involved in the exchange of gunfire, but Denette estimated between 20 and 30 were discharged. Nearby residences were struck, the windows of parked cars were shattered but the synagogue itself does not appear to have been hit, Denette said, stating the status of the place of worship still needs to be confirmed.

The crime scene is complex and will take days before the street is reopened, she said.

"There are dozens of bullet holes in the street behind me," she said.

The Belleville Police Service will be increasing patrols and maintaining a high police presence throughout the city, in particular around places of worship, Meeks said.

"Let me be very clear: Hate and violence have no place in our community," Meeks said. "Every person deserves to feel safe when attending a place of worship, gathering with loved ones or participating in community life."

Sons of Jacob said the shooting occurred during Sunday night service. No one inside the building was injured.

"As a result, all services scheduled for Yom Kippur day are canceled," it said in a statement on Facebook.

The shooting comes amid an increased concern about hate crimes targeting Jewish people in Canada amid Israel's war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, which began in October 2023 in response to Hamas' attack on Israel.

According to Government of Canada statistics, hate crimes against Jewish people increased 82% from 527 such crimes reported to police in 2022 to 959 in 2023. There was a slight drop in the reporting of such crimes the following year, followed by a 16% decrease in 2025 to a total of 788 reported crimes targeting Jewish people.

There have been several notable attacks targeting Canadian synagogues in the past year, prompting Prime Minister Mark Carney announce measures in June to combat such crimes, including a commitment of an additional $53 million through the Canada Community Security Program specifically for synagogues, Jewish day schools, community centers and other institutions of faith communities.

On Monday, he said in a statement that his thoughts were with Canada's Jewish communities.

"Jewish people must be able to worship safely. To live free, open, proud Jewish lives," he said.

"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."