FIRST READING: Yet another Canadian massacre prevented at the last minute by police

Advertisement 1 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Breadcrumb Trail Links HomeNP Comment FIRST READING: Yet another Canadian massacre prevented at the last minute by police If Const. Jeff Smith hadn't returned fire against a synagogue attacker, 25 congregants would have been at his mercy Author of the article: By Tristin Hopper Published Sep 22, 2026 5 minute read Join the conversation Officials with the Special Investigations Unit are seen exiting an SIU vehicle on Victoria Avenue on the morning of Monday, Sept 21, not far from the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville. PHOTO BY DEREK BALDWIN/BELLEVILLE INTELLIGENCER Article content First Reading is a Canadian politics newsletter curated by the National Post’s own Tristin Hopper. To get an early version sent directly to your inbox, sign up here. Article content TOP STORY Article content RECOMMENDED VIDEOS Article content Once again, a potential Canadian massacre appears to have been halted within seconds of disaster by the quick actions of police. Article content On Sunday night, congregants at a Yom Kippur service at a Belleville, Ont., synagogue dropped for cover at the sound of gunfire  outside the building. Article content Multiple witness accounts described one large boom, likely from a shotgun, followed quickly by pops, possibly from a pistol. Article content The next day, investigators revealed that a gunman had opened fire on a Belleville Police Service officer with the apparent intention of then turning his gun on the approximately 25 congregants massed in the Sons of Jacob synagogue. Article content Instead, the wounded officer, Const. Jeff Smith, was able to return fire and hold back the attacker. In conjunction with a second officer who scrambled to the scene, Smith was able to subdue the shooter, who was hit multiple times. Article content Article content Article content “It’s believed that the individual came in a truck and he had a shotgun and he discharged his firearm at a police officer,” Kristy Denette, a spokesperson for Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit, told reporters. Article content Channel Israel Columnist Jesse Kline keeps you up to date with what’s happening in Israel and the effects of antisemitism on life here in Canada. Friday mornings. Sign Up By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Article content Denette added that it…