Hate Crime & Legal Update: Latest on Belleville Synagogue Attack, New Hate-Motivated Offence and Other Enforcement Developments
Week of September 28, 2026
Table of Contents
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Belleville police prevent murder of Jewish congregants at Sons of Jacob Synagogue
Toronto man charged with breaking into a synagogue and stealing religious items
Durham police charge man with public incitement of hatred and uttering threats motivated by hatred
Durham police charge man who threatened to commit shooting at synagogue
Toronto police lay charges in relation to alleged hate-motivated assaults
Calgary police charge two men after a hate-motivated assault in July
Belleville police prevent murder of Jewish congregants at Sons of Jacob Synagogue
By now, everyone is familiar, at least in general terms, with the events that took place at the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville, Ontario on Kol Nidre.
The Jewish community across Canada – and far beyond – has been shaken by this violent, hate‑motivated attack. While no congregants were physically harmed, the traumatic impact of the event reverberates deeply.
Sean Ward, 29, of Quinte West, arrived at the synagogue armed with multiple firearms, ammunition, and combustibles; fully capable of and undoubtedly intent on carrying out the mass murder of congregants. He opened fire on Constable Jeff Smith, who was stationed outside the building in an unmarked vehicle to protect worshippers. Video evidence shown at a police press conference captured the gunman shouting: “You are going to die for the Jews.” Constable Smith was struck while still in his vehicle and was gravely injured.
Notwithstanding his injuries, he returned fire. (Fortunately, Constable Smith was trained as an Emergency Response Team officer.) Approximately three minutes later, Constable Mike McCurdy arrived on scene and was able to return fire. Approximately thirty rounds of ammunition were exchanged. Constable Smith sustained multiple gunshot wounds to his head and body and remains in critical but stable condition. Ward was critically injured during the exchange and later died in hospital. Roughly 25 worshippers were inside the synagogue at the time. Thankfully none were injured.
There is no doubt that this was an act of domestic terrorism, a hate‑motivated, targeted attack intended to murder Jews in the synagogue as well as intimidate the entire Canadian Jewish community.
Under s. 83.01(1) of the Criminal Code, an act amounts to “terrorist activity” if it meets these criteria:
It intentionally causes death or serious bodily harm through violence, endangers life or involves a threat or attempt to commit such an act
It is committed, in whole or in part, for a political, religious, or ideological purpose, objective, or cause – an ideology of Jew-hatred obviously qualifies
It is intended, in whole or in part, to intimidate the public or a segment of the public with regard to its security – targeting a synagogue on Kol Nidre is clearly intended to intimidate Jews as a segment of the public.
This attempt to commit mass murder of Jews undoubtedly met these criteria. Ward would have been prosecutable for multiple offences, including terrorism offences, had he survived.
The Jewish community is profoundly grateful to Constable Jeff Smith and Constable Mike McCurdy, whose courage and selfless actions protected the worshippers of the Sons of Jacob Synagogue from this act of terror. Both officers acted with extraordinary bravery in the face of immediate danger, preventing what could have been an unspeakable tragedy.
Constable Smith is a true hero. We extend to him our deepest appreciation and wish him a full and speedy refuah shlema – a complete recovery – with strength and comfort in the days ahead.
Constable McCurdy’s swift and decisive response also exemplifies the highest ideals of public service. Our community stands in gratitude for his courage and commitment.
The Jewish community also extends its profound gratitude to Chief Murray Rodd of the Belleville Police Service for acknowledging, at the earliest opportunity, that the evidence demonstrated that this was nothing less than a hate-motivated attack on the Jewish community.
Ward’s death does not obviate the need to thoroughly investigate the circumstances that led to this potential mass casualty event. That investigation is taking place.
Toronto man charged with breaking into a synagogue and stealing religious items
On Wednesday, August 19, 2026, Kayce Ranger, 35, of Toronto was arrested and charged with:
Break, Enter and Commit Theft; and
Fail to Comply with Release Order
The allegations are that during the early morning hours of Tuesday, August 18, 2026, the accused broke into a synagogue in the Bathurst Street and Lawrence Avenue area, stealing several religious items. On Wednesday, August 19, 2026, Toronto Police Service investigators executed a search warrant at a residence in the Lawrence Avenue West and Englemount Avenue area, where all the religious items were recovered. At the time of this offence, Ranger was subject to a release order in relation to another charge of Break, Enter and Commit Theft.
On arrest, the accused was held for a bail hearing. He was released on bail and next appears in court on October 1, 2026, at 10 Armoury Street in Toronto.
ALCCA asked Toronto Police whether they considered whether the accused should be charged with the new Offence Motivated by Hatred provision of the Criminal Code created by Bill C-9. We raised this issue for obvious reasons, given the theft of religious items from a synagogue. We were advised that they were satisfied that this was not a hate-motivated crime, based on the totality of evidence available to them. We will monitor this case as it progresses. Regardless of whether hate motivation can be proven, a break, enter and theft involving a place of worship obviously contributes to the uncertainty and lack of security being experienced by our community.
Stoney Creek man charged with hate propaganda offences
On September 9, 2026, following the required consent of the Attorney General to proceed with charges, Hamilton Police have arrested and charged Simran Mander, 27, of Stoney Creek with:
Wilful Promotion of Hatred
Wilful Promotion of Antisemitism
Advocating Genocide
In July 2025, Hamilton Police received a report concerning content posted publicly to an account on the social media platform X. The Hamilton Police Hate Crime Unit began an investigation into the account and the material being shared.
Through the investigation, police identified Simran Mander, 27, of Stoney Creek, as the individual believed to be operating the account.
Mander was released and is scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Hamilton on December 1, 2026.
The inclusion of a charge of advocating genocide underscores the seriousness of the alleged hate propaganda, as does the inclusion of wilful promotion of antisemitism which, as defined in the Criminal Code, necessarily refers to content that condones, denies or downplays the Holocaust, now a not uncommon component of antisemitic hate propaganda. We also observe that X’s voluntary removal of hate propaganda on its platform compares unfavourably with a number of major social media platforms.
Durham police charge man with public incitement of hatred and uttering threats motivated by hatred
On Wednesday, September 23, 2026, Durham Regional Police arrested and charged Sean Farro, 57, of Whitby with:
Offence Motivated by Hatred – Uttering threats
Public Incitement of Hatred
The allegations are that an individual, using the handle “Sean Strife”, promoted anti-Muslim hatred and incited violence and harm against the Muslim community online. Through investigation, the Hate Crime Unit identified Farro as the person responsible for the posts.
He was held for a bail hearing. As of the time of writing there was no information as to his release.
Durham police charge man who threatened to commit shooting at synagogue
On Saturday, September 19, 2026, Durham Regional Police arrested and charged Alexander Parfitt, 19, of Whitby with:
Offence Motivated by Hatred – Uttering Threats
Members of the Hate Crime Unit received information from an external law enforcement partner regarding threats posted on an online message board to carry out a shooting at a synagogue in Durham Region.
Further investigation identified the user responsible for the messages as Parfitt and on Saturday, September 19, 2026, a search warrant was executed at a residence in Whitby. Parfitt was located in the residence and taken into custody without incident.
He was held for a bail hearing. He is scheduled to appear next in the Ontario Court of Justice in Oshawa on October 8, 2026.
This arrest for an alleged threat to carry out a shooting at a synagogue was closely followed by the events in Belleville, Ontario and reinforces, as do the multiple thwarted terror plots in Canada targeting the Jewish community, the continuing risks our community and those who seek to protect us face on a daily basis. This continuing threat underscores the urgency of the five measures we recently called on governments to take to combat antisemitic hate and protect Jewish communities across Canada.
Toronto police charge man with offence motivated by hatred
On August 31, 2026, Toronto Police arrested and charged Nickolaos Galanis, 62, of Toronto, with:
Offence Motivated by Hatred – Assault with a Weapon.
The allegations are that Galanis approached the victim, who was waiting near a bus stop at Warden Avenue and Ellesmere Road, held a knife near the victim’s neck and yelled anti-Asian (more specifically anti-Chinese) slurs at them. Police located Galanis and took him into custody.
He is scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice on October 20, 2026, at 10 Armoury Street, Toronto.
Toronto police lay charges in relation to alleged hate-motivated assaults
On Tuesday, September 1, 2026, Toronto Police arrested and charged Lakshitha Arakmullage, 32, of Toronto, with:
Offence Motivated by Hatred - Assault Causing Bodily Harm
five counts of Offence Motivated by Hatred - Assault with Weapon
two counts of Carry Concealed Weapon
two counts of Possession of Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose
On Saturday, August 29, 2026, police attended a call for a person with a knife in the Queens Quay West and Lower Spadina Avenue area. It is alleged that Arakmullage approached two people during an unprovoked interaction, made anti-Sikh utterances and racial slurs, then attacked the victims with a weapon, stabbing one victim in the leg. The victim suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
Through the investigation, it was determined that Arakmullage was involved in a separate incident approximately one hour earlier in the Union Station area. It is further alleged that he approached the victim during an unprovoked interaction, made anti-Sikh utterances and racial slurs, brandished a knife, and proceeded to wave it at the victim while repeating the anti-Sikh utterances and racial slurs. The victim was not injured.
Arakmullage was held for a bail hearing and later released. His next appearance is on October 19, 2026, in the Ontario Court of Justice at 10 Armoury Street, Toronto.
It is encouraging that police services, including Durham Regional, and Toronto are utilizing the new hate-motivated offence section created by Bill C-9 in relation to crimes allegedly targeting both the Jewish and other communities. The new offence converts any conventional offence into a hate-motivated offence with potential enhanced penalties if the evidence establishes the required motivation.
These offences also reinforce the importance of creating alliances, such as those ALCCA promotes, between Jewish and other targeted communities in common cause against hatred.
Calgary police charge two men after a hate-motivated assault in July
On Thursday, July 2, 2026, police were called for reports of a woman in medical distress outside of a restaurant in the 9600 block of Macleod Trail S.W. Witnesses reported that the woman had been using a portable washroom when two men walked up to the washroom and tipped it over with the door toward the pavement, leaving the woman trapped inside. The men then fled.
The witnesses assisted the woman out of the washroom, called police and rendered first aid on the scene. The victim was transported to hospital for exposure to waste matter and toxic chemicals. She has since recovered.
Following an investigation by the Hate Crime Prevention Team, which included reviewing CCTV and speaking with witnesses and the victim, it is believed the men made comments targeting the victim based on gender and ethnicity, and hate-motivation has been deemed a factor in the assault.
Two men were arrested in connection with the incident.
Tyson David Cann, 24, of Calgary, was charged with one count of assault causing bodily harm and will next appear in court on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. Fynn Storm Ferrier, 24, of Kimberley B.C., was charged with one count of assault causing bodily harm and will next appear in court on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026.
Although these offences took place before Bill C-9, creating a new hate-motivated crime, was passed, the authorities can still seek a stronger deterrent sentence, upon conviction, based on s. 718.2(a)(i) of the Criminal Code, that treats bias, prejudice or hate motivation as an aggravating circumstance on sentencing.
Quebec RCMP charge a man with terrorism offences
On September 24, 2026, Quebec RCMP arrested and charged Louay Angoud, 24, of Quebec City with:
Using or possessing property for terrorist purposes
Commission of offence for terrorist group
Participating in activity of a terrorist group
Possession of weapon for dangerous purpose
According to the investigation conducted by the Integrated National Security Enforcement Team (INSET), he intended to carry out at least one attack on behalf of the Islamic State. In particular, he is alleged to have communicated online with members of a terrorist group and gathered information to build a chemical weapon that could be used to poison Canadian citizens.
According to the RCMP, Angoud does not have legal permission to be in Canada.
He was scheduled to appear in court in Montreal on September 24.
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About the Author
Rochelle Direnfeld is ALCCA’s Senior Criminal Counsel. She was called to the Ontario bar in 1990 and has served in the Ontario Public Service for over 32 years as an assistant crown attorney, deputy crown attorney, crown counsel, and finally as Deputy Director for Toronto Crown Attorneys in the Criminal Law Division of the Ministry of the Attorney General. Rochelle retired from public service at the end of 2023. During her career, she prosecuted a wide variety of Criminal Code cases in the Ontario Court of Justice, Superior Court of Justice, and the Ontario Court of Appeal.
Rochelle is also the Chair of the Canadian Criminal Law Working Group, a national initiative bringing together leading criminal lawyers to strengthen the legal response to antisemitic hate crimes and support victims across Canada.
She has also been selected to join the Toronto Police Service Board’s Jewish Community Advisory Table, an initiative aimed at strengthening dialogue and collaboration between the Jewish community and the Toronto Police Service on issues of community safety and policing.