Sean Ward, 29, opened fire with a shotgun at two police officers stationed outside the synagogue at around 7 p.m. Sunday, according to the CBC.
The shooting took place during the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur, prompting investigators to examine a possible anti-Jewish motive behind the attack.
It was not immediately clear whether Ward specifically targeted the synagogue or the police officers providing security outside the building.
Ward struck Constable Jeff Smith, who was working security at the synagogue with another officer.
The officers returned fire, hitting Ward, who died of his injuries Monday night.
Smith remained in critical but stable condition as of Tuesday.
None of the roughly two dozen worshipers inside the synagogue were injured, while bullets struck surrounding homes, vehicles and the synagogue’s windows.
“There are dozens of bullet holes in the street behind me and some homes have been hit and there are some vehicles with shot out windows, that sort of thing. So it would have been quite the scene,” Belleville Deputy Police Chief Sheri Meeks said.
Meanwhile, authorities continued investigating Ward’s motive and the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
“It’s believed that (Ward) came in a truck and he had a shotgun and he discharged his firearm at a police officer and then that police officer returned fire and then there was a second officer who arrived and then also discharged (their) firearm,” Kristy Denette, a spokesperson for Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit, told reporters.
Ward joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 2017 and served as an infantry soldier before leaving in 2022 as a corporal.
Following the shooting, Meeks announced a heightened police presence across Belleville and condemned antisemitism.
“Let me be very clear: Antisemitism, hate and violence have no place in our community,” she said.
“Every person deserves to feel safe when attending a place of worship, gathering with loved ones, or participating in community life.”
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Belleville Mayor Neil Ellis condemned the attack.