Suspect in shooting near Belleville, Ont., synagogue is dead, police watchdog says

Police stand in front of the Son of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville, Ont., on Monday. A man armed with a shotgun who allegedly opened fire at a police officer stationed nearby has died, according to Ontario's police watchdog. (Ian MacAlpine/The Canadain Press)Social SharingOntario's police watchdog says 29-year-old Sean Ward, the man accused of shooting at city police near a Belleville, Ont., synagogue on Sunday night, has died.

Yom Kippur services were underway inside the Sons of Jacob Synagogue when Ward allegedly opened fire on Const. Jeff Smith with a shotgun, Belleville police Deputy Chief Sheri Meeks and Kristy Denette, a spokesperson for Ontario's Special Investigations Unit (SIU), said during a Monday news conference.

Smith had been parked outside Sons of Jacob at the request of the synagogue, its president told CBC News.

Ward had been in life-threatening condition.

Smith, who has been with Belleville's police service since 2013, suffered serious injuries during the shootout and is recovering in an intensive care unit where he remains in critical but stable condition.