In a dramatic and long awaited development Israeli Police have arrested 3 suspects in the Tel Aviv 2009 gay youth center shooting, that left 2 dead and 10 injured. It is believed that the motivation for the killings was based on personal revenge, according to a report by Eli Senyor in Ynet News.
News of the arrests have been welcomed by LGBT activists in Tel Aviv, especially as the community prepares for Pride.
Ynet News. “The suspects will appear in court on Thursday for a remand hearing. They are residents of Pardes Katz and the ages range from 20 to 40. Police believe the motive for the murder was a personal dispute and that the shooter was seeking revenge. ”
Two people – Nir Katz, 26, and Liz Trubeshi, 16 – were killed in August 1, 2009 when a veiled man entered the Barnoar gay youth center in Tel Aviv and began shooting at the teens gathered there.
Suspects arrested (Photo: Shuki Lerer)
Sources in the Tel Aviv District Police said the investigation is far from over but said their lead was solid and ruled out nationalistic motives.
“This was a cold blooded murderer who did not flinch,” said one police source close to the investigation at the time. While the details of the shooting are still under a gag order it was revealed that the legnth of the attack was a matter of seconds.
Security forces investigating the murder at one point looked into the possibility that Jacob Teitel, who was arrested on suspicion of involvement in a series of hate crimes, might be involved in the shooting. Teitel confessed to his involvement but police later concluded he was not the shooter but was protecting the murderer.
The Israeli National LGBT Task Force said in response to the arrests “We are assured that authorities will not rest until the guilty parties are found and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.” READ MORE
At this time, reports suggest the motive was not an issue of nationalism, and as this was touted as a personal vendetta against the Center, police have ruled out a hate crime. Please stay tuned for updates.
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Fourth man arrested in 2009 attack on Tel Aviv teen gay club (jta.org)
