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Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Friday night
Photo: Gil Yohanan

Tourist shot after attacking church goers

Man seriously wounded in chest, leg after trying to stab worshippers, policemen in Church of Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem; his identity and motive unclear

A tourist was shot by a policeman on Friday evening after trying to stab worshippers and police officers at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem. One police officer was lightly injured in the incident.

 

The officer ordered the tourist to put his knife down, but the man refused and threatened to hurt one of the worshippers. He then attempted to stab a policeman as well.

 

A Magen David Adom crew dispatched to the area attended to the tourist, who sustained serious wounds, and evacuated him to the Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital in Jerusalem. A hospital official said he was injured in the leg and chest. His identity is unknown.


Police at scene of incident (Photo: Gil Yohanan)

 

The security forces are looking into the incident and the stabber's motives.

 

According to eyewitnesses, two priests and a policeman had asked the worshippers to leave the church just before its closing hour. When they approached the tourist, he pulled out a knife and after refusing to put it down, the policeman sprayed him with tear gas. The tourist was shot after rioting and threatening to hurt one of the worshippers.

 

The officer who shot the tourist said he aimed at the upper part of the man's body after he had tried to stab him and a priest standing next to him. A police investigation revealed that the tourist arrived in Israel on Friday, bought the knife in the Old City and hid it between his clothes.

 

Many Christians believe Jesus was crucified, buried and then resurrected at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.

 

The Associated Press contributed to this report

 


פרסום ראשון: 04.23.10, 21:59
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