Canadian police officer wounded while stopping gunman outside synagogue released from hospital

Canadian police officer Jeff Smith, critically wounded while stopping a gunman outside a Belleville, Ontario synagogue on September 20, has been released from hospital. Smith was guarding B'nai Jacob synagogue on Yom Kippur eve when Sean Ward opened fire. Smith returned fire for nearly three minutes; no worshippers were injured. A fundraiser raised C$969,110.

Canadian police officer Jeff Smith, who was critically wounded while stopping a gunman outside a synagogue in Belleville, Ontario, has been released from the hospital and is continuing his recovery at home more than a month after the attack. Belleville police said Thursday that Smith was making progress in his recovery, and that he and his family were grateful for the support they had received. Smith was guarding B'nai Jacob synagogue on September 20 as worshippers gathered for Yom Kippur services. The gunman, Sean Ward, 29, opened fire, striking Smith in the head and body. Despite his injuries, Smith continued returning fire for nearly three minutes before officer Michael McCurdy arrived and joined him. Police said the two officers prevented the attacker from entering the synagogue and carrying out a mass killing. No worshippers were injured. Ward was wounded in the exchange and died the following day. A fundraising campaign had raised C$969,110 through more than 8,300 donations as of Friday morning. A separate campaign for McCurdy raised approximately C$58,400. Separately, Canadian police are investigating suspected gunfire directed at a synagogue in the Montreal suburb of Westmount. Police found holes in several windows at Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom. Rabbi Lisa Grushcow said the damage appeared to have been caused by air gun pellets; no one was injured. The synagogue was previously targeted with a swastika in February 2025 and an attempted arson in June 2026.