Belleville police confirm Yom Kippur synagogue shooting was deliberate hate attack
Belleville police have classified the September 20 shooting near the Sons of Jacob synagogue as a deliberate, hate-motivated crime. Gunman Sean Ward, a former military member, attempted a mass casualty attack during Yom Kippur services but was killed after a shootout with Constable Jeff Smith, who sustained critical head injuries. Federal officials have pledged security funding, and a GoFundMe campaign for the injured officer has raised over $750,000.