My report from the Belleville synagogue shooting

BELLEVILLE — The scourge of violent Jew hatred has seemingly come to the Friendly City.

On Sunday night, with Yom Kippur being celebrated as the holiest and most solemn day of the year in Judaism — the Day of Atonement — shots rang out at Sons of Jacob synagogue in Belleville around 7 p.m. One Belleville police officer was hit and was later rushed to a hospital.

While at least two dozen members of the Jewish community gathered for services, shots were heard and went “for at least two to three minutes,” one member of the congregation told the Toronto Sun. Dozens of shots were fired and were coming in through the window.

“We know one officer was shot but seems to be in stable condition and one shooter in critical condition, from what we understand, but can’t say for sure,” said one member of the synagogue congregation, who asked not to be named. “They don’t think there were any other shooters.”

At least one police officer was present to provide security for the Yom Kippur service and returned fire. “That officer is a hero,” said one congregant from police headquarters, via text.

Said another female congregant who also asked for anonymity: “We had an officer there before we started and they started shooting at him. They never breached the building, but shots came through.”

“I was in the synagogue. Thanks to the police officer who got injured. We pray for his speedy recovery.”

The officer is alive and should recover, sources said. Initial reports suggested there were two shooters. But police now believe there was just one. That individual is in critical condition at a hospital.

No members of the congregation were shot. But all were shaken up and taken in a bus to police headquarters once the scene was secure. As they left, dozens of police cruisers surrounded the synagogue and police drones buzzed overhead. “There is no continuing threat,” said one city official.

No one could clearly see who was doing the shooting, one member of Sons of Jacob said, which is located on a quiet Belleville residential street not far from City Hall.

“We all just took cover,” one said. “The shooter never breached the building, as far as we know. But lots of shots were fired.”

Neil Ellis, the mayor of Belleville, sounded shaken and emotional when he spoke to the Toronto Sun.

“It’s devastating for us,” Ellis said. “Things like this just don’t happen in Belleville. I’m at a loss for words. “

“My heart goes out to the officer and the people who were there.”

Ellis added that the officer and the suspected shooter were sent to Kingston to be treated for their wounds. Their identities had yet to be revealed.

The Prime Minister’s Office was notified about the shooting, Ellis added.

Former area MP Ryan Williams lives nearby with his family, where neighbours were told by police to shelter in place.

Said Williams: “I’m shaken by what happened tonight … This is not something we are used to seeing in our city, the Friendly City. My heart is with the Belleville Police officers and paramedics responding tonight, with everyone affected and especially with members of Belleville’s Jewish community observing Yom Kippur.

“On Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish year, members of Belleville’s Jewish community should have been able to gather and worship in peace. Instead, their synagogue became the scene of gunfire.”