The following report of the events that occurred on Wednesday night, the eve of 9 Cheshvan, leading to the death of talmid yeshiva Simcha Chodatov Z”L in the Romeima neighborhood of the capital was released by a Jerusalem police spokesman early Thursday afternoon 9 Cheshvan.
Following is a translation of the report as it was released.
Two IDF soldiers assigned to protect public transportation tried boarding a bus on Yirmiyahu Street, apparently at the end of their shift.
The investigation to date reveals that a man who got off the bus saw the soldiers and asked them to identify themselves. This person was viewed as being suspicious by the soldiers. They in turn asked him to identify himself. An argument followed during which he struck a soldier and tried grabbing a weapon.
At this point the bus driver joined in to assist the soldiers, shocking the man with a taser, who it did not neutralize him as he continued trying to grab a soldier’s weapon. There are reports that during the struggle with soldiers the man shouted ‘I am ISIS’.
A security guard in the area realized what was taking place and he ran to the area and fired at the suspect. This was followed by gunfire from the soldiers. The suspect, who was later identified as a yeshiva student, was killed. An in-depth police investigation is ongoing.
Police continue with the deployment of troops around the city, calling on the tzibur to continue calling in any suspicious person or object and to listen carefully to instructions from security forces operating in the field.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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13 Responses
very sad. it seems like he committed suicide “by cop”.
Very strange
Crazier.
I do not believe he screamed that. He was a security guard at a yeshiva and the rosh yeshiva and students cant believe he was killed. until theres no evidence clearly that he said that i don’t believe it. He clearly doesn’t look like an arab. They couldve shot him in the legs had he been a threat. the video doesn’t show much either.
The tell-tale part is that he did not react to the taser. One is either on narcotics or having a severe psychotic episode for that to happen, as I understand it. We will never know. It’s tragic, but with all the impersonating going on, the law enforcement cannot be to blame.
Very unfortunate event which is very understandable. As far as those who believe non lethal force should have been used unless you were there you shouldn’t have an opinion. Jerusalem is going through a tough time with multiple criminals attempting to stab and run over people with their cars this is not a time to second guess security forces trying to protect you. If security wants to question you because of any reason it is on you to quietly and respectfully submit immediately. Anything behavior-wise beyond that can and should put your life in danger in this environment. The security forces already have too many real threats to deal with.
Baruch Dayan Ha’emet. I often davened in the same minyan as him. He was a very quite person. A humble person. He originated from Russia. No terrorist in Israel has a Russian accent. He definately could not have said he is ISIS. That is totally out of character for him. EIther the soldier misheard or is lying. Very sad. What can we do le’ilui nishmato ?
Something about this story smells.
I am writing because I knew Simcha Z’l. I learned with him in Dvar Yerushalayim and even roomed with him at the Yeshiva. First of all he doesn’t not look Arab. He is Russian with light skin. Besides that, none of this fits with what we know about him. He was polite, punctual and responsible. He would help set up and clean up at Yeshiva, and help out in the office with other students. He made aliya, went to the IDF and came straight back to Yeshiva when his service was over. There was nothing about his behavior that was unusual. I am shocked, as well as others who know him, because it just doesn’t makes sense. That he yelled I AM ISIS?? Strange…
Rabotai, for the sake of his neshama, let’s not speculate about his mental health or chas v’shalom say anything negative. Hashem Yerachem. He was a great Yid, Shomer Torah u’Mitzvot, ba’al chessed who emigrated to Eretz Yisroel alone to start a new life and learn Torah. Hashem Yaazor.
Typo, I meant to write, He does not look like an Arab.
@ Jewish Achdut you mean, for the sake of “our neshamos” we shouldn’t speak negatively about him. His neshama doesn’t mind. It’s our neshamos that will suffer.
If anyone would like to do anything l’iluy nishmans, please let me know.
#9
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