"I chased him for three years": New details emerge in Rishon LeZion lawyer murder

The court is expected to discuss today (Wednesday) the police request to extend the detention of the young man suspected of murdering a lawyer in his office near the Zahav Mall in Rishon LeZion.

The suspect, in his 20s, is originally from the center of the country and currently resides in the southern region. He has a criminal record and was a client of the victim. Hours after the murder, around 16:00, he arrived at the Lachish District police station and turned himself in. Upon his arrival, he told officers: "I shot him." He was subsequently transferred to Shfela District police investigators, who had been searching for him, and promised to assist in locating the pistol he allegedly discarded during his escape.

During his initial interrogation, the suspect claimed he visited the lawyer's office over a debt of 15,000 shekels, which he stated were compensation funds from a car accident owed to him. "For three years I have been chasing him to get the money and he ignored me," he told investigators. "I came to him and he refused to talk. I took out the pistol, which had five bullets, and I shot him."

According to investigators, the suspect fled the scene toward fields between Ashdod and Ashkelon, where he likely threw away the weapon. Police are continuing to search for the firearm and are investigating how he obtained it, as it is suspected to have been held without a license.

Advocate Oren Sasson, representing the suspect, stated in an interview with "Maariv" that his client now denies the allegations. "This is not the scenario of a murderer. A person arrives at the office calmly, apparently," he said. "At the moment he denies the suspicion against him. This is a man who is mentally disturbed, and we will have to check everything. This is not a simple case." Sources close to the suspect claimed he had been secluded in his home for the past three years.

Partner heard shouting and "small explosions"

Security footage shows the suspect arriving at the building calmly. The incident was reported to the police and Magen David Adom by the lawyer's office partner. In his testimony, he stated he first heard a loud argument but did not realize at the time that the subsequent sounds were gunshots.

"At first there was shouting during the conversation between the lawyer and his client," he told investigators. "Afterwards, I heard small explosions and I didn't think it was shooting at all. I entered his room and saw him lying on the floor, under the table. He is a good person who never harmed anyone."

The incident occurred around 13:00. Investigators believe the suspect arrived armed and engaged in a heated argument with the lawyer over the handling of his tort case. At some point, at least four shots were fired. The lawyer, aged about 50, was found unconscious, and medical teams were later forced to declare his death.

Police are currently reviewing the suspect's criminal history, which includes property crimes, and are determining whether he has a past history of weapons-related offenses.