After Belleville, Ont., shooting, a look at recent violent incidents near synagogues
Police in Ontario are investigating a shooting incident at a synagogue in Belleville, where a 29-year-old man allegedly opened fire on a constable outside the building. The confrontation resulted in injuries for both the suspect and the officer, prompting widespread condemnation from political leaders. The police have not disclosed a potential motive for the attack.
In recent years, there have been several violent incidents targeting Canadian synagogues and Jewish institutions. In June 2026, a fire at Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom in Montreal was believed to be caused by a Molotov cocktail tossed through a window. The 38-year-old suspect was later arrested and could face charges.
In April and May 2026, an 18-year-old man allegedly assaulted members of the Jewish community using a gel blaster imitation gun outside the Congregation Chasidei Bobov synagogue in Toronto. The suspect faces charges of assault with a weapon and possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose.
In March 2026, gunfire was exchanged overnight near two Toronto-area synagogues, Beth Avraham Yoseph of Toronto and Shaarei Shomayim, causing no injuries. Three suspects aged 17, 18, and 23 were subsequently arrested and charged with various offenses.
In December 2024, a Montreal-area synagogue, Congregation Beth Tikvah, was firebombed, causing minor damage. Later that month, a 19-year-old man was arrested and charged with arson and other offenses in connection with the incident. Additionally, a Jewish girls' school in Toronto's north end was damaged in an overnight shooting in December 2024, with suspects allegedly firing from a vehicle.
In May 2024, the Schara Tzedeck synagogue in Vancouver suffered an arson attack, while bullet holes were discovered at a Jewish school in Montreal and a Jewish community center in Montreal's suburb in November 2023. In November 2023, the Congregation Beth Tikvah synagogue and the Federation CJA office in a Montreal suburb were targeted by firebombings.
Written by urgent.news from Winnipeg Free Press's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
