A Canadian police officer who was critically wounded while stopping a gunman outside a synagogue in Belleville, Ontario, has been released from the hospital and is continuing his recovery at home more than a month after the attack.
Belleville police said Thursday that officer Jeff Smith was making progress in his recovery. Smith and his family were grateful for the support they had received from the community and beyond in recent weeks, the department said.
Smith was guarding B’nai Jacob synagogue on September 20 as worshippers gathered for services on the eve of Yom Kippur. The gunman, Sean Ward, 29, opened fire on him, striking him in the head and body.
Despite his injuries, Smith continued returning fire for nearly three minutes before officer Michael McCurdy arrived and joined him. Police said the two officers prevented the attacker from entering the synagogue and carrying out a mass killing. No worshippers were injured. Ward was wounded in the exchange of gunfire and died the following day.
Canada’s Jewish community and other donors have rallied around Smith and his family. A fundraising campaign launched by Derek Kreindler on behalf of the Canadian Jewish community had raised C$969,110 (nearly $700,000) through more than 8,300 donations as of Friday morning.
The funds are intended to recognize Smith’s actions in protecting the worshippers and help support him and his family during his recovery and rehabilitation.
Community rallies around Smith, McCurdy
McCurdy, who came to Smith’s aid under fire and was physically unharmed, has also received support. A separate fundraising campaign launched by Deborah Vogel on behalf of the Jewish community had raised approximately C$58,400 (little over $41,000), according to a report Friday morning.
Organizers emphasized that, alongside relief that McCurdy escaped physical injury, the psychological toll of responding to the shooting must also be recognized and his recovery supported.
Meanwhile, Canadian police are investigating suspected gunfire directed at a synagogue in the Montreal suburb of Westmount overnight between Thursday and Friday.
Police found holes Friday in several windows at Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom. Rabbi Lisa Grushcow told the National Post that the synagogue’s executive director noticed the damage when she arrived for a meeting.
Grushcow said the damage appeared to have been caused by air gun pellets. Nothing penetrated the building, and no one was injured. Police opened an investigation, but the motive remained unclear.
Synagogue previously targeted
The synagogue has been targeted before. A swastika was spray-painted on its walls in February 2025. This past June, a 38-year-old man was arrested and charged with attempting to set fire to the building.
“This is our third incident in less than two years,” Grushcow said. “We do not yet know the motive, but we cannot ignore the context of growing radicalization and rising antisemitism.”
She said the incident appeared to have deliberately targeted the synagogue. Westmount Mayor Michael Stern confirmed that police were investigating and that worshippers faced no danger.
The congregation said Shabbat services would proceed as scheduled despite the incident.