According to police, the man who during the predawn hours on Tuesday shot and killed one man, while leaving another seriously wounded in downtown Jerusalem is 48-year-old Yoel Almog, a former Tel Aviv district policeman.

The shooting rampage resulted in the death of Amjad Abu-Hadir, 33, from Shuafat Refugee Camp, and a second man was seriously wounded.

The suspect, a former immigrant from the Soviet Union, converted to Judaism 11 years ago. Almog told police that the victim, Abu-Hadir, approached him while he was meditating at about 11:30pm. He thought that because he was an Arab, he was going to attack him, prompting him to fire at him.

He told police he then continued to the Kosel for Tikun Chatzos, after which he walked around the city. The second victim approached him asking for a cigarette. He told police he feared that he too wanted to attack him, so he fired, wounding him very seriously.

Israel Police Major-General Bruno Stein, who heads the Tzion Station in Jerusalem’s Old City, reports that despite claims by the defendant that he felt threatened; Almog appears mentally unstable and will undergo psychiatric evaluation.

Police add that he used to be employed as a security guard, adding the weapon used was his licensed handgun. His remand was extended for seven days.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)