A former Canadian infantry soldier who died after exchanging gunfire with police outside a synagogue in Belleville, Ontario, had been pursuing a $1-million lawsuit against the military over his dismissal for refusing a COVID-19 vaccination.
Court documents obtained by Global News identify the former soldier as Sean Ward, who served as a corporal at CFB Edmonton. According to the 2023 Federal Court lawsuit, Ward declined vaccination on religious grounds and was subsequently deemed unsuitable for continued military service.
The lawsuit stated that Ward had served in the military for nearly five years and claimed he suffered financial losses of about $140,000 after being discharged for breaching the armed forces’ vaccination policy.
Court documents said Ward was informed that he would not receive an exemption from the vaccination requirement. After refusing the vaccine, he faced disciplinary measures before being released under category 5(f), which classified him as unsuitable for further military service.
The case also alleged that Ward and other plaintiffs experienced lasting psychological, physical and emotional harm following their discharge, including post-traumatic stress disorder and a loss of trust in others.
The details in the court case correspond with the background of the man identified as the gunman who opened fire on police near a synagogue in Belleville on Sunday night while Jewish worshippers were marking Yom Kippur.
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