Synagogue shooting suspect's online username alluded to killing Jews weeks before attack, friend says

Sean Ward, the suspect in a shooting at a synagogue in Belleville, Ont., on Sunday, used the name kitekiller in the game Once Human after his attempt to use a slur for Jewish people was censored, a CBC News visual investigation has found. Ward died in hospital Monday. (CBC)Social SharingThe man who died following a Sunday shootout with police outside a synagogue in Belleville, Ont., alluded to killing Jewish people using a slur and railed against immigrants in interactions with a friend in the weeks leading up to the fatal attack, CBC News visual investigation team has learned. 

According to a childhood friend CBC News spoke to, Sean Ward — a former member of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) — tried using a slur for Jewish people combined with the word "killer" as a username for an online game, but settled on "kitekiller" after it was censored. The friend was with Ward online on Sept. 2 while they waited to play the video game Once Human when Ward attempted to use the username.

"There was that one game we played … he tried to name himself the k--e killer, and it changed to 'kitekiller' because you can't obviously have that on there," said his friend.

The word is a deeply offensive term used against Jews. 

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CBC News is not naming the friend due to his fear that he will lose his job because of his association with the suspect.

Using text messages, online usernames and social media accounts, and an interview with the childhood friend, CBC News was able to put together a partial profile of Ward — a person who not only routinely engaged in antisemitic speech, but who more recently espoused anti-immigrant sentiments, blaming them for his lack of employment.

Text messages between Ward and his friend showed Ward would use slurs for Jewish people in conversation. CBC has censored both the slur Ward used and personal information shared by the friend. (CBC)"He said he was depressed," said his friend, recounting a conversation with Ward earlier this month. "He was saying, 'F--k the immigrants', like … 'I can't find work.' "

"I just didn't think he would do anything to that extreme."

A spokesperson with the Special Investigations Unit, the civilian agency that investigates police conduct during shootings and other serious incidents in Ontario, said Ward, 29, died from injuries sustained during the exchange of gunfire outside the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville on Sunday night, where congregants gathered for Yom Kippur services. 

According to the SIU, Ward is alleged to have fired at Belleville Police Const. Jeff Smith with a shotgun, then Smith and a second officer on scene returned fire, with dozens of shots exchanged.

Smith was injured in the confrontation. 

Both were taken to hospital, where Ward died on Monday night.

So far, police have not released any information about the suspect's potential motivation for the attack.

A screenshot of the virtual waiting area for the online video game Ward and his friend played together earlier this month, showing the 'kitekiller' handle Ward used. (CBC)'Don't do anything stupid'The friend CBC spoke to said he noticed a change in Ward over a period of months this summer. His appearance changed, the friend said, noting Ward went from bulky to slim, with long, greasy hair. 

"He just looked different. Felt different. I could feel a different vibe on him," the friend said. "Usually we talk more. So that's why I felt odd because, like, he wasn't shooting the shit like we usually did. Like, he was like, in his head kind of thing."

The friend said the last time he saw Ward in person was Sept. 2, roughly three weeks before the shooting.

According to the Canadian Armed Forces, Ward served in the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry from 2017 to 2022. (Facebook)"When he was leaving … I was like, 'Don't do anything stupid, bro.' I was like, 'I know times are tough, but don't do anything stupid.' "

Following news of the shooting Sunday, the friend messaged Ward.

"I immediately texted Sean," he said. "And the message never sent. So that kind of clicked to my brain that he probably did do it."

The friend said Ward always had his phone on. "Like always. He'd always answer pretty quick."

Messages Ward's friend sent to him after the friend learned about the shooting in Belleville. (CBC News)CAF confirmed Tuesday that Ward had served in the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry from 2017 to 2022. CAF did not comment on the reasons for Ward's release, but multiple people CBC News spoke to, including the friend, said Ward refused to be vaccinated.

The CAF vaccine policy required all members to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or face potential release. That requirement ended in October 2022.

A number of violent attacks have been directed against Jewish-owned businesses and places of worship in recent years, with several instances of firebombings or buildings being shot at.

Jewish advocacy group B'nai Brith Canada recorded more than 6,800 antisemitic incidents in 2025, the highest number it has recorded since 1982.

Eric Szeto is a journalist with CBC's visual investigations unit.