Police are beginning to review video footage provided by security cameras that routinely monitor events in and around the Old City of Yerushalayim. There are hundreds of such cameras which are monitored from a command center 24/7.

They are hoping the footage will assist in apprehending the shooter in the Friday night shooting attack near the Lion’s gate which left two border policemen wounded, one in critical condition and the second moderate.

Border policeman David Shriki, 19, of Rishon L’Tzion, was critically wounded by gunfire in his head. His partner, Imad Gadhir, 22, from the north, was wounded in his chest.

Following the preliminary investigation, police are announcing they believe a lone gunman acting on his own decided to open fire at the two on Friday night. They believe the attack may not have been premeditated, indicating in all likelihood, it was a spontaneous act.

Police report that Shriki was hit first and collapsed immediately. Gadhir, who was less seriously wounded, managed to return fire. It is unknown if he struck the shooter. Two other policemen who appeared in the scene within minutes detected an image running towards the Arab cemetery and they too fired at him. It is unknown if the fleeing perpetrator was hit by any of the police gunfire.

Police acknowledge the shooting was the third act of terror in the capital since March of this year, adding there appears to be an increase in the involvement of Arab residents of the eastern capital in acts of terror. Police believe the ‘Jerusalem Envelope’ security program has significantly impacted the ability of terrorists to bring bombs into the capital, explaining that as such, the residents of Arab areas of the capital are more likely to seek knives or handguns to perpetrate an attack. Authorities add that another alternative is running down security troops as was the case in the recent bulldozer attack on Jaffe Street.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)