Belleville Synagogue Gunman Did Not Have a Firearms Licence, Source Says

By: Ebenezer Adugyamfi & Emmanuel Ayiku for GhanaianNewsCanada

Date: October 12, 2026

The man who opened fire outside a synagogue in Belleville, Ontario, during the Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur did not have a firearms licence at the time of the attack, according to a police source familiar with the investigation.

The revelation adds a significant development to the ongoing investigation into the September 20 shooting at the Sons of Jacob Synagogue, where a former Canadian Armed Forces corporal allegedly ambushed a police officer providing security outside the building.

Sean Ward, 29, of Quinte West, died in hospital after exchanging gunfire with police. The officer, Constable Jeff Smith, sustained serious injuries and has undergone multiple surgeries as part of his recovery.

The attack occurred while members of the Jewish congregation were gathered inside the synagogue for Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. Gunfire struck the building’s stained-glass windows, forcing approximately 25 worshippers to take cover. No congregants were reported injured.

The Globe and Mail reported on October 12 that a police source with direct knowledge of the investigation said Ward did not possess a firearms licence. The newspaper did not identify the source, who was not authorised to discuss the case publicly.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), which administers the Canadian Firearms Program, declined to comment on Ward’s status in the national firearms database, citing operational and privacy considerations and the integrity of the ongoing investigation.

Belleville Police, which is leading the criminal investigation, also declined to provide details about the weapons used in the shooting or how investigators were tracing their origins.

The absence of a firearms licence could become an important part of the investigation as authorities seek to establish how Ward obtained the weapons and whether anyone else was involved in acquiring or transferring them.

What Happened Outside the Sons of Jacob Synagogue?

The shooting occurred at approximately 7 p.m. on September 20 near the Sons of Jacob Synagogue, close to Victoria and Bleecker avenues in Belleville.

A police officer had been stationed outside the synagogue to provide security after congregants reported a suspicious vehicle in the area about a week earlier.

According to preliminary information released by Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU), an exchange of gunfire occurred between the officer and a man armed with a shotgun. A second officer arrived at the scene and also discharged a firearm.

Both Ward and the officer were wounded and taken to hospital. Ward died from his injuries on September 21, while Constable Smith remained under medical care.

Investigators later described the incident as a hate-motivated attack against the Jewish community.

The circumstances of the shooting have raised concerns about the security of religious institutions in Canada, particularly during major religious observances when congregations gather in large numbers.

The fact that the shooting occurred outside a synagogue during Yom Kippur has heightened concern within the Jewish community and among organisations advocating for stronger protection against antisemitic violence.

Why the Firearms Licence Issue Matters

A firearms licence is an important part of Canada’s system for regulating the lawful possession and acquisition of guns.

Under Canadian law, individuals generally need the appropriate firearms licence to acquire or possess firearms, subject to specific legal exceptions. Different requirements apply depending on the classification of the weapon.

A licence does not establish that every firearm in a person’s possession was acquired lawfully. Conversely, the absence of a licence does not, by itself, establish how a particular firearm was obtained.

Investigators must examine the weapons, available records and other evidence to determine their origins.

In Ward’s case, the reported absence of a licence raises questions about whether the firearms were purchased legally by another person, transferred unlawfully, stolen, smuggled into Canada or obtained through another route.

Those are possibilities investigators may examine; the publicly available information does not establish which, if any, occurred in this case.

Police may also seek to determine whether anyone helped Ward acquire the weapons or knew about his plans before the shooting.

The answers could help investigators reconstruct the events leading to the attack and establish whether the case involves offences beyond the actions of the deceased gunman.

However, authorities have not publicly disclosed the origins of the firearms used in the incident.

Ward’s Military Background Under Scrutiny

Ward previously served in the Canadian Armed Forces as an infantry soldier.

The Department of National Defence has confirmed that he joined the military in July 2017 and left in June 2022 at the rank of corporal. He did not deploy overseas during his service.

Global News previously reported, citing military sources, that Ward was discharged after refusing to receive a COVID-19 vaccine and had expressed conspiracy theories about the pandemic while serving in the military.

The Canadian Armed Forces declined to comment on the reported circumstances of his departure, citing privacy restrictions.

The Globe and Mail has also reported that Ward sued the Canadian Armed Forces as part of litigation involving former military personnel who opposed vaccination requirements. Court records reportedly indicated that he had experienced financial difficulties and expressed grievances about his departure from the military.

These details form part of the broader background investigators and journalists have examined following the shooting. They do not, on their own, establish a motive for the attack or explain how Ward obtained the firearms.

Authorities must rely on evidence directly connected to the incident when determining the circumstances and motivation behind the shooting.

Police Officer Jeff Smith Continues Recovery

Constable Jeff Smith’s response has been widely praised by police officials and members of the public.

According to Belleville Police Chief Murray Rodd, Smith was shot during the confrontation but continued calling for assistance. Together with another officer who arrived at the scene, he helped stop Ward before the gunman could enter the synagogue.

Police said Ward arrived with multiple firearms, including a shotgun, as well as substantial ammunition and gasoline. Chief Rodd said the gunman appeared equipped to sustain a prolonged exchange of gunfire.

The officer’s injuries were serious, and his treatment has included multiple surgeries.

In an October 7 update, Chief Rodd said Smith continued to receive medical care and was making encouraging progress considering the extent of his injuries.

The officer’s actions have prompted expressions of support from the public and members of Canada’s Jewish community.

A fundraising campaign established to support Smith had reportedly raised more than $940,000 by the Friday preceding the October 12 report.

His recovery remains a central concern for colleagues and residents following the shooting.

Attack Raises Concern About Antisemitism in Canada

The shooting has intensified concerns about antisemitism and the security of Jewish institutions across Canada.

Synagogues, Jewish schools and community organisations have faced heightened security concerns amid reports of antisemitic incidents and threats.

The Sons of Jacob Synagogue attack was particularly alarming because it occurred during Yom Kippur, when Jewish communities traditionally gather for prayer and religious observances.

National Jewish organisations have expressed gratitude for the intervention of the injured officer while warning that religious communities should not have to depend on permanent armed police protection to worship safely.

The incident has renewed calls for governments and law-enforcement agencies to assess security arrangements at vulnerable religious sites and respond to threats against minority communities.

It has also highlighted the potential consequences when a person arrives at a public gathering with firearms and other materials apparently intended to facilitate a violent attack.

Investigators have described the Belleville incident as hate-motivated, but the complete sequence of events and all the factors behind Ward’s actions remain matters for the ongoing investigation.

Ontario’s Police Watchdog Investigates the Shooting

The Special Investigations Unit is conducting a separate investigation into the exchange of gunfire because police officers discharged their firearms and the incident resulted in a death and serious injury.

The SIU is an independent civilian oversight agency responsible for investigating incidents involving police that result in death, serious injury, sexual assault allegations or the discharge of a firearm at a person.

Its investigation is separate from the criminal investigation being led by Belleville Police.

The SIU’s work is intended to establish the circumstances surrounding the police use of force and determine whether the evidence supports any criminal charges against an officer.

The agency announced that it had assigned six investigators to the case.

Because Ward died following the shooting, investigators must examine the sequence of events, the actions of the officers involved and other available evidence.

The SIU’s investigation does not replace the separate inquiry into the origin of Ward’s firearms or the broader circumstances of the alleged attack.

The Significance of Illegal Firearms in Canadian Crime

The reported absence of a firearms licence has also renewed attention on the challenges police face when investigating shootings involving weapons that may not have been acquired through lawful channels.

Licensing and registration information, where applicable, can help investigators establish a firearm’s ownership history and trace its movement between individuals.

When a person is not licensed, investigators may have fewer straightforward records linking that individual to a lawful acquisition. They must then examine other evidence, which can include the weapon’s identifying markings, forensic results, purchase records and information from witnesses.

Nevertheless, the lack of a licence does not necessarily mean that a gun was smuggled across the border. Weapons can enter unlawful possession through different routes, including theft and illegal transfers within Canada.

The investigation into Ward’s firearms could therefore provide important information about how the weapons reached him.

It is too early to draw conclusions about their source because authorities have not publicly explained how they were acquired.

The case nevertheless illustrates why tracing firearms can be a critical part of investigations into serious acts of violence.

What Happens Next?

Investigators continue examining the circumstances of the September 20 attack, including the firearms involved, Ward’s actions before the shooting and the response by police.

The reported lack of a firearms licence is a new piece of information, but several key questions remain unanswered.

Authorities have not publicly established where Ward obtained the weapons, whether anyone assisted him in acquiring them or whether investigators identified additional individuals who may have relevant information.

The SIU’s separate investigation will examine the police use of force, while Belleville Police continue their inquiry into the shooting.

Constable Smith’s recovery also remains an important concern for the local community and the officers who responded to the incident.

The latest revelation adds another question to an already serious investigation: how did a man without a firearms licence obtain the weapons used in an attack that endangered a congregation gathered for one of Judaism’s holiest days?

The answer will depend on the evidence investigators uncover and the findings they release as their inquiries progress.