Now Belleville police say they are investigating a new incident involving antisemitic flyers distributed in the same part of the city.
What happened
The Belleville Police Service said in a statement that it is aware of flyers being distributed in the east end of Belleville containing antisemitic messaging, and that it is "actively investigating." Norm Weddum, the synagogue's congregation president, is named in that report as the community's representative.
Police are asking anyone with information or video evidence of the flyers to contact them by email at aboulay@bellevilleps.ca. Residents can also report a hate-motivated incident to 911 in an emergency, or to the Belleville Police Service's non-emergency line at 613-966-0882.
Police response
In its statement, the service said "hate has no place in Belleville," and that it remains in contact with community leaders while taking proactive steps to support residents' safety and well-being. Police said increased patrols will continue throughout Belleville, including around places of worship and other community gathering spaces, as the investigation into the flyers continues.
Why Ottawa is watching
That gunman, 29-year-old Sean Ward of Quinte West, was fatally injured in a shootout with officers and died in hospital the next day, according to The Canadian Press. Belleville Police Chief Murray Rodd has called the shooting a deliberate, hate-motivated attack directed at members of the Jewish community during one of the holiest observances of the year, Yom Kippur.
That connection runs deeper locally than the headlines suggest.
What's next
No arrests or suspects have been announced in connection with the flyers. Police have not said how many flyers were distributed or what specific messaging they contained. The investigation is ongoing, and police have not indicated a timeline for next steps.
Earlier this month
Ottawa readers have followed this story since the attack itself. ottown's earlier report detailed how investigators identified both the wounded officer and the suspect in the days after the shooting, while ottown's earlier report covered the Belleville Senators' season, underscoring how tightly the two cities are linked beyond this investigation.
Sources: Belleville Police Service (official), inquinte.ca, The Canadian Press
