Yanis Yushvaev, a reputed leader of an organized crime group, was shot and killed Sunday afternoon at a gas station near Caesarea in northern Israel, police said.
Yushvaev, an Or Akiva resident in his 40s, was critically wounded in the shooting and pronounced dead shortly afterward. Police launched a manhunt for suspects believed to have fled the scene in a vehicle. Investigators said the shooting appeared to be criminally motivated.
Security camera footage shows the fatal shooting of reputed crime boss Yanis Yushvaev at a gas station near Caesarea
The shooting occurred at a gas station, close to the Caesarea interchange.
Police opened an investigation immediately after receiving reports of gunfire, collecting evidence at the scene and searching the surrounding area for suspects. The investigation was later assigned to the Israel Police’s Coastal District.
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Security camera footage shows the fatal shooting of reputed crime boss Yanis Yushvaev at a gas station near Caesarea
Yanis Yushvaev
The district commander traveled to the scene to conduct a special assessment with commanders operating in the area. Israel Police Commissioner Danny Levy also arrived at the scene.
Large numbers of officers were deployed in an extensive manhunt, setting up roadblocks and searching the area for those involved in the killing. A police helicopter was also assisting in the search.
Israel Police Commissioner Danny Levy also arrived at the scene
(Photo: Eitan Glikman)
Yushvaev had in recent years been considered one of the most prominent intelligence targets of police in Hadera and the Coastal District’s Central Unit, which investigates serious and organized crime.
He had been arrested several times, including last year following gunfire targeting a businessman’s vehicle and home. At the time, authorities alleged that Yushvaev had acted as an arbitrator in a dispute between businesspeople. He was also suspected in connection with the arson of dozens of vehicles.
Law enforcement at the scene
(Photo: Eitan Glikman)
Earlier this year, Yushvaev was arrested at Ben Gurion International Airport after returning from Russia.
The Magen David Adom emergency service said it received a report of the shooting near the Caesarea interchange at 3:51 p.m.
Paramedics and emergency medical technicians treated Yushvaev at the scene and performed CPR.
Law enforcement at the scene
(Photo: Eitan Glikman)
Magen David Adom medics Idan Elmaleh, Shoham Asraf and Elhanan Kfir said they found a man about 45 years old unconscious, without a pulse and not breathing, with significant penetrating wounds to his body.
They performed advanced resuscitation and treated his wounds, but he was pronounced dead a short time later.