Officer shot in Belleville synagogue attack released from hospital
Police in Belleville say an officer who was shot on Yom Kippur while protecting a synagogue full of worshippers from an armed attacker has been released from the hospital.
Const. Jeff Smith, an officer stationed outside the Sons of Jacob synagogue in Belleville, has been released from the hospital after being shot while protecting worshippers on Yom Kippur. He is recuperating at home, making "positive progress" in his recovery over a month since the incident. Police report that Smith sustained multiple gunshot wounds to the head and body during the attack but continued to engage the assailant until a second officer arrived three minutes later.
The attacker, 29-year-old Sean Ward, was killed in the gunfight that ensued. Ward had multiple guns, a substantial amount of ammunition, and a clear motive to carry out an extended attack on the synagogue. Smith's wife has shared that the officer is facing a "long, difficult" road ahead in his recovery.
The Belleville community rallied around Smith and his family during his hospital stay, demonstrating overwhelming support for the injured officer.
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