The lawyer who was murdered in his office in Rishon L’Tzion by a disgruntled client on Tuesday was identified on Wednesday morning as Arbel Feldman, z’l.
He is survived by his wife and three children and lived in the city.
A relative told Ynet, “He was the last person you would ever expect something like this to happen to. We simply can’t believe it.”
The 23-year-old suspect, a resident of Ramla, is expected to be brought before the court later today for a remand hearing. The handgun used in the shooting has still not been found.
Security camera footage released last night captured the moments leading up to the murder. The suspect is seen entering the building lobby calmly before walking toward Feldman’s office.
The suspect fled the scene but later turned himself in at the Ashdod police station. Feldman’s law partner found him with gunshot wounds and called emergency services. Magen David Adom paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene.
The investigation indicates that the confrontation stemmed from a financial dispute. According to Ynet, the suspect claimed he had not received 15,000 shekels in compensation from a personal injury settlement. Feldman maintained that he had already transferred the money to the suspect’s father.
Investigators have not yet determined whether the killing was premeditated or whether it followed an argument that escalated, during which the suspect pulled out a handgun and shot Feldman at close range. Authorities also confirmed that the suspect did not have a license to carry a firearm.
Feldman’s law partner told investigators yesterday: “I heard the two of them talking—not shouting, just a very brief conversation. Then I heard a few small popping sounds. At first I didn’t realize they were gunshots. Then I heard a series of shots, and I saw him [the suspect] walking quickly out of the office. At that moment I still didn’t understand what had happened. I got up, ran to him [my partner], and found him lying under his desk, face up, covered in blood. I immediately called the police and Magen David Adom.”
He later added: “He was an incredible person—humble, gentle, and pure-hearted. His family was his entire world. He was supposed to fly abroad next week with his wife and children for a vacation. I was convinced there had been some mistake in identifying him. He had nothing to do with the criminal world. He did mention that a client had been harassing him, but nothing beyond that. We are all in shock.”
Attorney Yaron Porer, who knew Feldman and occasionally met him at the Rishon LeZion Magistrate’s Court, said, “He was a quiet, pleasant, and courteous person. I never once saw him lose his temper.”
(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)
