Synagogue shooting suspect's online username alluded to killing Jews weeks before attack, friend says

Sean Ward, who was a former Armed Forces member, died Monday after the weekend shooting in Belleville, Ont. Eric Szeto, Christian Paas-Lang, Jordan Pearson, Megan McCleister · CBC News · Posted: Sep 23, 2026 PM EDT | Last Updated: 3 hours ago Play article Estimated 4 minutes The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results. Sean Ward, the suspect in a shooting at a synagogue in Belleville, Ont., on Sunday, used the name kitekiller in the game Once Human after his attempt to use a slur for Jewish people was censored, a CBC News visual investigation has found. The friend was with Ward online on Sept. 2 while they waited to play the video game Once Human when Ward attempted to use the username. "There was that one game we played … he tried to name himself the k--e killer, and it changed to 'kitekiller' because you can't obviously have that on there," said his friend. The word is a deeply offensive term used against Jews.  Questions swirl as members of Belleville, Ont., synagogue return after shooting Suspect in Belleville, Ont., shooting is dead, SIU says CBC News is not naming the friend due to his fear that he will lose his job because of his association with the suspect. Using text messages, online usernames and social media accounts, and an interview with the childhood friend, CBC News was able to put together a partial profile of Ward — a person who not only routinely engaged in antisemitic speech, but who more recently espoused anti-immigrant sentiments, blaming them for his lack of employment. WATCH | Shooting suspect's behaviour changed in weeks before attack, friend says: Belleville, Ont., shooting suspect tried using antisemitic gamer handle, friends says 4 hours ago|Duration WARNING — this story contains antisemitic language. CBC has censored both the slur Ward used and personal information shared . (CBC) According to the SIU, Ward is alleged to have fired at Belleville Police Const. Jeff Smith with a shotgun, then Smith and a second officer on scene returned fire, with dozens of shots exchanged. Smith was injured in the confrontation.  Wife of wounded Belleville police officer says he faces 'long, difficult road' Both were taken to hospital, where Ward died on Monday night. So far, police have not released any information about the suspect's potential motivation for the attack. A screenshot of the virtual waiting area for the online video game Ward and his friend played together earlier this month, showing the 'kitekiller' handle Ward used. (CBC) 'Don't do anything stupid' The friend CBC spoke to said he noticed a change in Ward over a period of months this summer.