Police investigators believe the perpetrator of the 2009 gay youth center shooting was pursuing revenge - ruling out the hate-crime motive - but that his target was not at the site the night of the crime.
Most of the details are still under gag order, but on Friday's Gay Pride Parade in Tel Aviv, rumors were flying that the well-known figure in the LGBT community arrested on Wednesday may have been the perpetrator's actual target due to a criminal offense he performed in the past, which involved one of the suspects.
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If these rumors prove true, then the masked shooter, upon discovering his target was not at the center, decided to massacre the innocent youths he found in his stead, killing two and wounding 11 others.
Scene of the shooting (Photo: AP)
The first crack in the case appeared a few months ago, when the a lead was found on the suspects – one of them a minor at the time of the shooting.
It was then that the police estimated the LGBT senior member, an adult man who was known to all of the youth center's visitors, was linked to the motive, but decided to wait to ensure the arrests will result in indictments.
Suspects arrested in Bnei Brak (Photo: Shuki Lerer)
A few hours following the arrests of the murder suspects on a busy Bnei Brak street, the man was also arrested, virtually ending the case as far as the investigators were concerned.
"We're expecting one of them will crack and spill the beans," a police official said.
Though police have claimed on Thursday that one of the suspects incriminated himself, the suspects denied their involvement in the murders.
The suspects have been criminally entangled before: The murder suspect was involved in a shootout between criminals, his younger relative, the second suspect, was convicted on several charges including grand theft auto.
The court has extended their remand by an additional 10 days.
The LGBT figure also denied the allegations, but was remanded a well. His arrest was a shock to the LGBT community, as the man is a well-known and beloved individual who was dedicated to helping gay youth who suffered due to their sexual leaning.
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