Soldier shot dead at Haifa nightclub
Nidal Mansoor, 20, is killed by shots fired at doormen and clubbers after group is refused entry to a south Haifa night club
Soldier killed at Haifa nightclub: Sergeant Nidal Mansoor, a 20 year-old soldier, was shot and killed at the Rocco Beach nightclub in southern Haifa. Police say the attackers were locals who were refused entry to the nightclub.
Several suspects were arrested in connection with the lethal shooting.
The attack took place at three in the morning on Saturday. Shots were fired at clubbers and security staff who were standing at the club's entrance. The shots were fired from the direction of the nearby Coastal Road hitting Mansoor, who stood by the entrance.
He was rushed to Haifa's Rambam hospital, where he was placed in the intensive care unit, but the hospital later said he died from his injuries during in surgery.
Haifa police mobilized a large number of forces to the area, and have launched an investigation into the killing.
The police's inquiries have so far revealed that a short time before the shooting, a group of individuals with criminal records, arrived at the club but were refused entry by the security staff.
Haifa police chief Nir Mariash told Ynet that two suspects were brought into a Haifa police station for questioning. The suspects are in their 30s.
'Clubs are turning into war zones'
Following the attack, Deputy Education Minister Majalli Whbee (Likud) called for the deployment of a police officer at the entrance of every club in the country.
"It's unacceptable that clubs for enjoyment are turned into war zones," said Whbee. "Police forces in uniform can increase deterrence for violent criminals," he added.
Knesset Member Eliezer Sandberg (Shinui) said that Haifa nightclubs have turned into crime scenes. "I demand that the police carry out a root canal treatment on all the clubs," said Sandberg. The Knesset member added that he planned on initiating a Knesset forum on the rising violence in Haifa clubs.
Long history of club shootings
The past year has seen previous incidents of guns being used in clubs in Haifa against security staff by those refused entry.
The most severe of these took place last February in the Lona club in Haifa, when a group of youths shot and killed a doorman who refused them entry. Three suspects were arrested last week in connection with that murder.
Shortly afterwards, a security guard at a club in Haifa's port area was shot and injured by a group of youths were prevented entry.
The youths met the guard at a public park where they opened fire at him. One of the suspects involved in the attack was sentenced to five years in prison last week.
Family in mourning
The family of Nidal Mansoor was in a state of mourning at their home in the Druze community of Osafiya, part of the city of Carmel.
Family members described Nidal as a young and happy man who loved life, and who had a promising military career ahead of him.
Arkan, a cousin, told Ynet that he had gone fishing with Nidal on Friday in Atalit. "He was a wonderful and handsome guy. Always smiling, he liked being with friends, and telling jokes," said Arkan. "Even if he was angry at you, he would immediately forgive and laugh it off. He didn't deserve to die like this. He was a soldier who gave a lot to the country."
Carmel's mayor, Faraj Mansoor, who is also a relative of the victim, said that Nidal was an exemplary soldier, as well as being an outstanding leader at a local community center, and an athlete. "I met him two weeks ago, and he told me he was planning on beginning an officer's course. We as family pinned many hopes on him, and a golden future awaited him," said the mayor.
Mansoor added that members of the family were "furious that the authorities encourage violence with light punishment. This is a person who was murdered by trigger happy people. In similar cases in the past, the murderers got off lightly. People can't be scared to go out and enjoy themselves."
"The punishment must be severe, and should be aimed at punishing the guilty, as well as deterring those who may follow in their path," said the mayor.
