The wife of a brave Belleville police officer wounded in a shooting outside a local synagogue is speaking out for the first time about the harrowing events that unfolded.
Ashley Smith, wife of Constable Jeff Smith, took to social media to share her emotions following what she called the “scariest and darkest day” for her family.
In a heartfelt post on Tuesday, Ashley wrote about the difficulty in finding her words but felt compelled to speak out in support of her husband, who was involved in the incident.
The shooting occurred near the Sons of Jacob synagogue where Jeff was stationed as a precautionary measure during Yom Kippur, a significant day for the Jewish community.
During the incident, a 29-year-old suspect, identified as Sean Ward, opened fire on Jeff and another officer. Multiple shots were exchanged, causing damage to vehicles, homes, and the synagogue.
Jeff sustained critical injuries but has since stabilized in the intensive care unit. The suspect, Ward, was also severely injured and unfortunately passed away in the hospital.
In her emotional Facebook post, Ashley expressed gratitude for the medical teams, police, and community members who rallied around Jeff during this challenging time.
She reflected on the support they received and the hands that held them up when they didn’t know how to move forward.
