A Canadian police officer and a man sustained bullet wounds during an exchange of gunfire near the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville, Ontario, on Sunday, as members of the Jewish community marked Yom Kippur.

CBS News reported that the Belleville police stated that the officer encountered the man around 7:10 p.m., and both were taken to the hospital, with the man now said to be in life-threatening condition.

The police did not disclose what led to the shooting or whether the target was the church or Jewish community, as they said they would not provide further information while the investigation was underway, but assured that there is no risk to public safety, while asking people to avoid the area during the investigation.

York Regional Police also stated that there was no known threat in the region, but told residents to expect increased patrols at places of worship.

However, the province’s Special Investigations Unit, the civilian agency that investigates serious incidents involving police, has sent investigators to the scene, about 110 miles east of Toronto.

The synagogue’s president, Norman Weddum, told the outlet that he was ushering people into the sanctuary to begin services when he heard gunshots.

Mr Weddum said, “I could say, ‘Oh, this is definitely someone shooting here. So that’s when we ran back into the auditorium of the synagogue, closed the doors behind us so as to not leave a visible target. And we hit the floor.”

Ontario Premier Doug Ford, in a post on social media, said he was “disgusted by the shooting”, and that Jewish people “have every right to gather and worship safely and without fear.”

Demanding the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the shooting, Mr Ford said, “My thoughts are also with the police officer who was shot, along with their family and loved ones.”

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow also said on social media, “Jewish Torontonians should not need police presence to observe Yom Kippur, or to simply live their day-to-day lives,” adding that, “as long as we contend with rising antisemitism and hate, we will spare no expense keeping the community safe.”

Prime Minister Mark Carney, in a statement on X on Monday, said, “Jewish people must be able to worship safely. To live free, open, proud Jewish lives. 

“Canada’s government will do everything in our power to support law enforcement in ensuring that the perpetrator is held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. My thoughts are with the injured officer and his family, and the entire Jewish community.”