Scene of the crime
Photo: Ofer Amram
Officer who shot Palestinian bears false witness
Border Guard officer who accidentally shot Palestinian illegal worker Wednesday morning lies under investigation. Further investigation reveals that officer cocked weapon unprovoked, contrary to officer's original version that Palestinian tried to snatch his weapon
The Border Guard officer who killed a 29-year-old Palestinian resident of Tarqumiya in Jaffa lied about the circumstances of the incident. From investigations, it emerges that the officer cocked his weapon, unprovoked by the victim, causing a bullet to be fired accidentally.
The investigation team collected testimonies from all those involved, from eye witnesses and other officers alike. Subsequently, the officer confessed that he cocked the weapon which caused the bullet to be fired accidentally.
During the investigation, it was clarified that the border officer, 19, lied during his testimony that claimed that the Palestinian tried to grab his weapon.
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Despite this, the officer was released on bail even though his testimony was found to be contradictory. The Police Investigation Unit says that the investigation is in its final stages, and that according to testimonies collected until now, it seems as though this is a case of illegal use of a firearm.
The incident took place shortly after 8 a.m. Border Guard officers patrolled the market in search of illegal residents. The officers spotted several illegal aliens and signaled them to stop near a construction site.
According to his original version of the events, the police officer claimed that one of the Palestinians attacked him and tried to snatch his weapon. During the struggle, the officer told the police at first, a bullet was accidentally shot from his gun and hit the same illegal worker with whom he was fighting. A Magen David Adom crew was dispatched to the site, and a short time later pronounced the man dead.
The Justice Ministry has reported that the officer will be put under house arrest after no reason for lengthening his remand in court.
