18-year-old Kiryat Gat terrorist found hiding in storage shed in local’s house

Muhammed Tarda was found with blood on his clothes, in possession of folding knife.

By BEN HARTMAN
Magen David Adom at scene of Kiryat Gat stabbing, November 21, 2015 (photo credit: MAGEN DAVID ADOM)
Magen David Adom at scene of Kiryat Gat stabbing, November 21, 2015
(photo credit: MAGEN DAVID ADOM)
A terrorist who stabbed four Israelis – including a 13-year-old girl – was found late Saturday night nearly five hours after the attack, hiding in a storage unit of a private home not far from the scene of the crime.
The attacker, named by the Shin Bet as Muhammed Tarda, an 18-year-old resident of Yatir in the West Bank, has no history of security crimes, according to the security agency.
Tarda was found by police hiding in a storage shed in the house of Kiryat Gat local Ami Lahiani.
Lahiani told reporters he was home at the time the attacker hid in the storage unit, but had no idea he was there until police swarmed his house, leading him outside as they searched for the suspect.
Inside the shed, Tarda was found with blood on his clothes and still in possession of the small folding knife police say was used in the attack.
Southern District Police Commander Assistant Chief Yoram Halevy, told reporters after the arrest that police shut all roads in and out of the city right after the attack, to ensure the attacker would not flee to the West Bank.
HaLevy said police also arrested two Palestinians from the West Bank illegally residing in Israel who they say helped Tarda make his way to the scene of the crime. Both men have been handed over to the Shin Bet for questioning.
Before Tarda was found, civilians assaulted a Beduin laborer found at a construction site near the site of the attack, beating and lightly wounding him.
In addition to the 13-year-old girl, stabbing victims included two women aged 56 and 44 and a 51-year-old man.
All victims were moderately hurt with stab wounds in the upper body.