Court Extends Detention of Four Suspects in Ashkelon Shooting Incident
A Be'er Sheva court extended the detention of four men, including a Border Police reservist, linked to a recent shooting in Ashkelon amid conflicting police theories.
A Be'er Sheva Magistrate's Court extended the detention of four young men, including one from Jerusalem and three from Ashkelon, suspected of involvement in a Thursday night shooting incident in Ashkelon. Police are investigating conflicting hypotheses regarding the incident.
Investigation and Details
Investigators are exploring whether motorcyclists opened fire on the four due to a prior dispute. Simultaneously, authorities are examining if the shots in a residential neighborhood were fired by one of the suspects, an active-duty Border Police reservist found with a licensed firearm. Following the incident, the driver allegedly dropped off three suspects at their homes and drove to the Erez Crossing. Two of the suspects, including the Border Police officer, are brothers.
Police suspect the individuals of firing in a residential area, acquiring, transporting, and possessing weapons, and conspiring to commit a crime. Attorney Yonat Ben Haim questioned the evidentiary basis, asking whether forensic evidence linked the suspects to the recovered shell casings.
"What evidence connects the casings to the suspect? Are there forensic findings?" Ben Haim asked.
"The material is before the court and there is forensic laboratory evidence," the police investigator replied.
Court Ruling
Judge Or Adam ordered one 35-year-old Ashkelon resident held in detention for three days, while the other three suspects were placed under house arrest for three days. The court noted that while investigations continue, the severity of the offenses and suspected gang affiliations warrant further inquiry.
