JERUSALEM OLD CITY SHOOTING

UNCLAS JERUSALEM 001671 SIPDIS SIPDIS NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE; NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/WATERS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC IS KDEM KWBG PGOV PREL PTER SUBJECT: JERUSALEM OLD CITY SHOOTING ¶1. (U) At approximately 11:15 a.m. local time August 10, an unknown Palestinian male assaulted an Israeli security guard, took his firearm, and shot him in the shoulder at an Ateret Kohanim yeshiva in Jerusalem's Old City Christian Quarter, according to Israeli press. A second security guard chased the attacker through the Old City and killed him. Press reported that eight to eleven people were wounded during the chase by shots and ricocheting bullets. According to initial reports received by ACS, no U.S. citizens were involved in the incident. ¶2. (U) Press reported that police raised the alert level in the Old City and that Jaffa Gate was closed immediately following the attack. Magen David Adom rescue services transported the injured to hospitals. Four reportedly received medium injuries, and the rest were injured lightly. ¶3. (U) Security sources reported publicly that the attacker was approximately 20 years old and carried no identification. Shin Bet and the police are attempting to locate his family. A witness told Israel Radio that the guard continued shooting after it was clear that the attacker had been killed, but Jerusalem District Police Commander Aharon Franco defended the guard's response as "professional". Commissioner of Israeli Police Dudi Cohen said after police had been deployed throughout the Old City that East Jerusalem was at maximum security and safe for visitors. ¶4. (U) RSO sent out an SMS message to all Consulate employees and eligible family members instructing them to stay out of the Old City until the end of the day. WALLES