Belleville synagogue shooting suspect, a former Canadian soldier, dies in hospital

at 8:12 a.m. Former Canadian Armed Forces member Sean Ward, the 29-year-old Ontario suspect in a shooting incident outside a Belleville synagogue on Sunday evening, has died in hospital, according to the province’s Special Investigations Unit.

Police have said little about the Quinte West man accused of exchanging gunfire with and shooting active-duty Belleville Police Service officer Const. Jeff Smith stationed outside the place of worship as congregants inside began a service to mark Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.

Ward was hit with multiple bullets and reportedly needed to be resuscitated on the scene, Ontario Special Investigations Unit spokesperson Kristy Denette said in a Monday news conference. At that time, he was listed in life-threatening condition at Kingston General Hospital, where a post-mortem is scheduled for Wednesday.

National Post also confirmed Tuesday that Ward is a former member of the CAF.