A police officer and another person were injured in a shooting outside a synagogue in Belleville, Ontario, on Sunday evening as members of the Jewish community gathered for Yom Kippur, officials said.
According to Belleville Police, an officer encountered an individual near Bleecker Avenue and Victoria Avenue at around 7pm local time.
Both the officer and the other individual were taken to hospital for treatment. The officer’s condition was not immediately disclosed.
The shooting occurred outside the Sons of Jacob Synagogue, where members of the community had gathered to observe Yom Kippur.
Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit, an independent civilian agency responsible for investigating certain incidents involving police, has opened an investigation into the shooting.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford condemned the incident and expressed support for the injured officer and other first responders, according to a statement cited by ABC News.
Authorities had not immediately provided further details about the circumstances leading to the shooting or indicated whether the synagogue or the Yom Kippur gathering was specifically targeted.