B’nai Brith Canada’s CEO is in Belleville, Ontario today to support the local Jewish community and demand an increased police presence at Jewish institutions.

A Belleville police officer is in serious condition after exchanging gunfire with a shooter outside the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville last Sunday.

The suspect, identified as Sean Ward, succumbed to his injuries following the incident.

B’nai Brith says it is believed that there was an attempted mass-killing of Jews praying at the Synagogue during Yom Kippur, the holiest date on the Jewish calendar.

The organization is calling for immediate government action to protect the Jewish community with armed security and an increased police presence at Jewish institutions.

CEO Simon Wolle says “Canada’s Jewish community cannot wait any longer for…Government to act.”