Border Police were called by Jerusalem policemen to help them chase the man on foot, during which two of the border policemen fired at him, resulting in his death.After the chase, police searched the area for the “suspicious object,” which was allegedly in the man’s hand, but never found it.Following the incident, the gates to the Old City were closed by Jerusalem police, in fear of protests. The Temple Mount is scheduled to reopen Sunday.The initial investigation by the Police Investigation Department revealed that one of the border patrol officers shot towards Iyad’s lower body during the chase, but missed, and the other shot him after their pursuit reached a dead end alleyway.The two are being investigated on suspicion of causing death by negligence.The two border policemen laid the blame for the misunderstanding on the Jerusalem police officers who initiated the chase. They claimed that the “blue cops” who had started the pursuit had told them that it was a terrorist and that they were convinced that the fugitive Palestinian was indeed planning to carry out an attack.One of the border police officers suspected of shooting Halak was released later Saturday afternoon and placed on house arrest, according to The Jerusalem Post's sister publication Maariv.The lawyer of Halak, Gad Kadmani, said “this is a murder, and this is not the first time this has happened. The case needs to be thoroughly investigated. Eight bullets were fired at him – there are cameras that recorded everything.”The Israel Police Department released a statement later on Saturday in reaction to the incident. “Unfortunately, we have witnessed blatant and irresponsible generalizations from public and government figures on both police and the Border Police who work day and night for the safety and security of all Israeli civilians. The role and mission of police forces in Jerusalem, and especially the Old City, is a complex task, and involves complex decision making, sacrifice and risking of one’s life,” Israel Police wrote in a press release in response to the shooting.“In the past few years, including recently, we have witnessed a number of brutal attempts to harm and kill police and Border Police in the Old City and its surrounding areas. Although most of these attacks were unsuccessful, due to the alertness of the police and their quick and professional responses, some of those attempts were successful and took lives," the Police added."This morning’s case was transferred to the Department of Police Investigations to be examined and investigated. It is appropriate to wait for the results of the investigation’s findings before drawing any conclusions, and to avoid the ugliness and wrongful outbursts of commentary on those who put protecting the citizens of Israel in front of the their own lives.”Alternate Prime Minister Benny Gantz expressed his condolences at the weekly cabinet meeting on Sunday for the loss of Iyad. "I am sure that the subject will be investigated quickly and conclusions will be reached," he said.#Breaking: Iyad Al-Halq, 32, with special needs, shot & killed this morning at Lion's Gate in Jerusalem's Old City by cops who "spotted a suspect with a suspicious object that looked like a pistol, called upon him to stop, chased on foot, opened fire & neutralized the suspect." pic.twitter.com/vhryp0vl3J
— Noga Tarnopolsky (@NTarnopolsky) May 30, 2020
Border Police shoot, kill unarmed special needs student in east Jerusalem
Following the incident, the gates to the Old City were closed by Jerusalem police, in fear of protests. The Temple Mount is scheduled to reopen Sunday.
