Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney condemns shooting outside synagogue in Ontario

BELLEVILLE, Ontario (NBC, KYMA) - Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney Monday condemned a shooting outside a synagogue in Belleville, Ontario Sunday evening.

That left a police officer wounded as members of the Jewish community gathered for Yom Kippur services.

Prime Minister Carney posted on X saying in part, "Jewish people must be able to worship safely. To live free, open, proud Jewish."

Toronto's police service said it was increasing patrols near synagogues and other places of worship out of an abundance of caution.

Carney in June announced a new federal advisory council to combat antisemitism, warning that a surge in hate crimes means the country is failing to protect Jewish Canadians.

The Belleville Police service said in a statement that the shooting in Belleville, about 118 miles east of Toronto, occurred at about 7:10 p.m. at the Sons of Jacob Synagogue near a residential area in the city's East End.

Ontario's special investigations unit said the shooter, a 29-year-old man, was in life-threatening condition and the officer was in critical-stable condition.