Channels

Scene of incident
Photo: Gur Dotan

Suspicion: Palestinian tried to run over cop

Police officer opens fire on vehicle breaking through checkpoint near Karnei Shomron settlement; driver moderately hurt, passenger uninjured

A Palestinian was shot at around noon Thursday by a police officer near the West Bank settlement of Karmei Shomron. According to suspicions, the Palestinian, who sustained moderate injuries to his back, broke through a checkpoint with his vehicle and attempted run over a police officer.

 

Magen David Adom emergency crews that were dispatched to the scene evacuated the Palestinian to Kfar Saba's Meir Medical Center. A Palestinian who was traveling in the same vehicle was detained for questioning.

 

Related stories:

 

According to an initial investigation, a number of police officers ordered the Palestinian to stop and pull over to the side of the road, but the man accelerated and sped towards one of the officers, who managed to avoid the car. Another officer opened fire and hit the Palestinian in the back. Only then did the Palestinian pull over.

 

Police have launched an investigation. It remains unclear whether the incident was nationalistically-motivated.

 

A spokesman for Shai District Police said the Palestinian tried to flee the scene but his vehicle drove over a spike strip. The driver then drove the car in reverse in the direction of the officers, who suspected he was trying to run them over. One of the officers shot at the vehicle's tires, but the car continued to move, prompting another police officer to open fire directly at it. The passenger was not hurt in the incident.

 

Route 55 leading up to the settlement of Karnei Shomron has recently become a target for Palestinian stone throwers. More than 15 residents were hurt by stones thrown at them in the area.

 

On Saturday settlers protested in the area over repeated attacks against Israeli vehicles in the West Bank involving stones and firebombs.

 

 


פרסום ראשון: 02.14.13, 14:09
 new comment
Warning:
This will delete your current comment