Police search for suspect in brutal assault at Jerusalem mall

Israeli man, 25, hospitalized with broken facial bones, skull fractures amid search for suspect; police investigating if criminal or terror-related

By DANIEL K. EISENBUD
Updated: MARCH 17, 2016 17:55
Ambulance (illustrative) (photo credit: REUTERS)
Ambulance (illustrative)
(photo credit: REUTERS)
Police are investigating the brutal beating of a 25-year-old Israeli man Thursday afternoon, who was assaulted at the capital’s Achim Yisrael Mall in Talpiot’s industrial area.
While details of the attack remain unclear, police have not indicated that it was a terror-related, noting that it may have been a criminal matter.
In a brief statement a spokesman said “all angles of investigation are being checked at this stage.”
The assailant, described as a bearded man in a black and white striped shirt, fled the scene, where the unidentified victim was treated by Magen David Adom paramedics before being transferred to Hadassah University Medical Center in Ein Kerem in stable condition.
Hadassah spokeswoman Hadar Elboin said the victim suffered broken bones in his face, as well as skull fractures.
“He has a few serious injuries in his face and got rally injured, but is awake,” she said.
Police have launched a search for the suspect in the area of the attack.