At least eight people, including four US tourists, were wounded in a shooting attack targeting a bus near the Western Wall in Jerusalem’s Old City early Sunday morning, CNN reports.
Around 1:30 am local time Sunday, in a statement the police said that a “terrorist armed with weapons shot at a bus and vehicles in a parking lot near the Old City of Jerusalem.
The four American tourists are members of a family who came from the United States on Wednesday, according to reports. The parents, son and daughter were shot near King David’s Tomb.
Five of the victims are mildly and moderately injured, according to emergency services.
Video on social media showed two ultra-Orthodox Jewish men lying on the ground being treated for their injuries.
The family’s father was said to be in serious condition, sedated and on a respirator, while the mother was in moderate condition, Israeli media reported. Two Americans are being treated at the Hadassah Medical Center, with the other two at Shaare Zedek Medical Center, according to the hospitals.
The US Embassy in Jerusalem said they are “shocked and saddened” by the attack. They confirmed that US citizens were among the victims and that they were gathering more information.
“We strongly condemn all acts of terrorism and actions that exacerbate tensions,” an embassy spokesperson said in a statement to CNN.
“Our thoughts are with the loved ones of the victims and we wish all of them a quick and full recovery,” the statement said.
An Israeli police officer checks a bus following a shooting incident in Jerusalem early Sunday morning.
The shooter fled the scene, with security forces, the Shin Bet and the IDF in pursuit. Police said a helicopter from the Israel Police’s aerial unit assisted in that search.
The suspect later turned himself into the police. The weapon he carried with him was seized, according to a police spokesperson.
Adekunle Biodun