One of the victims of the Tuesday morning terrorist shooting attack at Har Adar has been identified as Border Police First Sgt. Solomon Gavria HY”D, a resident of Be’er Yaakov. He has been serving in the border police for 18 months. Three persons were killed and a fourth person was wounded in the attack, transported to the trauma unit of Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital in Jerusalem. Gavria was the border policeman killed, along with two security guards stationed at his side.

The terrorist arrived at the rear entrance to the community shortly before 7:00AM as security forces were checking papers and permitting PA (Palestinian Authority) laborers into the community. The terrorist appeared suspicious and was told to “halt”, at which time he pulled a pistol from his shirt and opened fire. The swift response of border police led to neutralizing the terrorist, a PA resident in his 30s and a father of four, thereby bringing an end to the gunfire.

Following the murderous attack, President Reuven Rivlin commented, “In such difficult moments, our hearts go out to the families of those murdered, and we pray for recovery of those injured. Such a brutal terror attack once again shows the daily frontline on which our security forces stand, charged today with the most important mission – the safeguarding and defense of the citizens of Israel. We will continue to confront terror, and will reach all its perpetrators and supporters.”

The levaya is scheduled for today, Tuesday, 6 Tishrei, at 5:00PM in the Be’er Yaakov Military Cemetery. He is survived by his parents, two sisters and a brother.

The second victim is identified as Yousef Utman, 25, a resident of Abu Gosh who was a veteran of the border police and employed as a security guard at that location. Funeral arrangements to be announced.

The third victim has been identified as Ori Arish HY”D, one of the security guards. The levaya is set to take place on Tuesday, 6 Tishrei 5778 in Har Menuchos beginning at 4:30PM. Hespedim will be held in the large parking area.

יהי זכרם ברוך

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)