Palestinian shot dead after attempting to stab police officer in Jerusalem

According to police, officers became suspicious of the Palestinian who was wandering near Tzahal Square in the downtown section of the capital.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Updated: DECEMBER 26, 2015 10:45
Scene of Jerusalem stabbing attack
(Video courtesy of Shlomo Mor)
A Palestinian would-be assailant was shot and killed in Jerusalem on Saturday after attempting to stab a police officer, Israeli authorities said.
No Israelis were hurt in the attempted attack.
According to police, officers became suspicious of the Palestinian who was wandering near Tzahal Square in the downtown section of the capital.
During a police search, the man allegedly pulled a knife and tried to stab one of the officers. One of the policeman shot the suspect in response.
Reports indicate that the assailant was a 26-year-old male from east Jerusalem.
“An initial probe has revealed that the terrorist was standing on the promenade just outside of Jaffa Gate when he noticed a pair of Jewish worshipers walking in the direction of Tzahal Square,” a police statement read. “The terrorist then began walking after them.”
“A pair of police officers on mounted horseback who were there guarding the premises noticed the terrorist, who aroused their suspicious,” the statement read. “They then began to pursue the terrorist.”
“Upon reaching the square, the officers accosted the suspect and conducted a search on his person. The suspect handed one of the officers an ID. As he handed over the ID, he placed his other hand in his jacket pocket.”
“At this point, one of the officers grabbed the suspect’s other hand and pulled it out as he was holding a knife,” the police said. “The police officers then stepped backward.”
“The terrorist began to approach the officers while brandishing the knife. When the terrorist failed to heed orders to drop the knife, one of the officers shot him.”
Police praised the alertness of the officers, which prevented harm from coming to other security forces and civilians in the vicinity.