A terrorist shot at a bus and vehicles in a parking lot near the Old City of Jerusalem, injuring five Americans and three Israelis. The victims are being treated at two hospitals, including one pregnant woman.
The US Embassy in Jerusalem said it was “shocked and saddened” by the attack and wished the victims a quick and full recovery.
The US Ambassador to Israel, Tom Nides, condemned the attack and prayed for a quick recovery for the innocent victims. Nides is married to Virginia Moseley, CNN’s executive vice president of editorial for the US operation.
The shooter fled the scene and was later turned over to police.
The suspect is an Israeli citizen from East Jerusalem, a security source told CNN.
He was not known for any terror-related offenses before this shooting, but had a criminal record and had spent time in prison.
Israeli media has described him as a Palestinian who is about 26 years old and holds Israeli citizenship.
Police and forensic investigators have begun processing the scene to investigate the attack, police said.
Sunday’s shooting comes after hostilities in Gaza last weekend left dozens of Palestinians dead. A ceasefire between Israel and the Islamic Jihad militant group in Gaza was announced last Sunday.
For more on this story, please consider these sources:
- ‘Beloved’ Brooklyn dad critical, pregnant NYC woman undergoes emergency C-section after Jerusalem mass shooting New York Post
- Five Americans among injured in Jerusalem shooting attack CNN
- New York family of 4 among wounded after suspected Palestinian gunman opens fire in Jerusalem: reports Fox News
- Court extends detention of Jerusalem terrorist until next week The Times of Israel
- 5 Americans — including NYC family — among victims in Jerusalem shooting: officials New York Post