Solicitor general visits Belleville after synagogue shooting during Yom Kippur

CRIME Solicitor general visits Belleville after synagogue shooting during Yom Kippur By Rachel Morgan Global News Posted September 22, 2026 12:06 pm Updated September 22, 2026 12:26 pm 2 min read WATCH: ‘It felt like an eternity, we just heard a lot of shooting’: Witness describes scene outside Belleville synagogue LEAVE A COMMENT SHARE THIS ITEM ON FACEBOOK SHARE THIS ITEM ON X SEND THIS PAGE TO SOMEONE VIA EMAIL SEE MORE SHARING OPTIONS DESCREASE ARTICLE FONT SIZE INCREASE ARTICLE FONT SIZE Ontario’s solicitor general travelled to Belleville Tuesday morning to meet with police and the mayor following a shootout between an armed suspect and an officer near a local synagogue. A spokesperson for Michael Krezner’s office confirmed to Global News in an email Krezner met with police and the mayor in the morning and would be speaking with members of the Belleville community later Tuesday afternoon before heading back to Toronto. On Sunday around 7 p.m., a man armed with a shotgun allegedly opened fire at a police officer stationed outside the Sons of Jacob Synagogue, where people had gathered to observe Yom Kippur, the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) said. In a statement posted to social media, Krezner called the shooting a “heinous act” and said he is in contact with all levels of government and policing units across the province. STORY CONTINUES BELOW ADVERTISEMENT “There is simply no rational explanation or justification for shooting at a house of worship, regardless of the denomination,” he said. Get daily Montreal news Get daily Montreal news delivered to your inbox so you'll never miss the day's top stories. SIGN UP FOR DAILY MONTREAL NEWSLETTER GET STARTED BY PROVIDING YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS, YOU HAVE READ AND AGREE TO GLOBAL NEWS' TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY. Witnesses near the scene Sunday evening reported hearing the shots ring out. “It sounded like firecrackers,” said Ray Carmichael, who has lived in the neighbourhood for more than four decades. “They put shields on the windows there a few years ago, so I imagine they anticipated problems,” he added. “It’s very unfortunate.” Kristy Denette, spokesperson for the SIU, told reporters at the scene the officer returned fire and another officer also discharged their firearm. MORE ON CRIME MORE VIDEOS ‘Looksmaxxing’ content creator known as Clavicular charged with rape Wrong turn leads CBSA to catch kidnappers of Ontario teen: police Man accused of threatening youth outside…