An unfortunate incident occurred during a shooting attack at a Jerusalem bus stop, where an Israeli soldier mistakenly opened fire on an Israeli civilian who was bravely trying to neutralize the assailants. The incident resulted in the tragic death of the civilian, identified as Yuval Doron Castleman, as confirmed by Israeli police on Friday.

The attack, carried out by two Hamas gunmen of Palestinian origin from East Jerusalem, took place during Thursday morning’s rush hour and claimed the lives of three innocent individuals. However, two off-duty soldiers and Castleman managed to confront the attackers, leading to their eventual elimination.

According to Israeli media reports, Castleman would have celebrated his 38th birthday on Friday, making his untimely death all the more poignant.

Israeli Police Findings

In an official statement, Israeli police shared their preliminary investigation findings: “The ongoing investigation suggests that during the attack, one of the IDF soldiers mistakenly identified and suspected the late Yuval (Doron Castleman), who displayed exceptional bravery in his attempt to neutralize the terrorists, as a third assailant.”

The statement further revealed that the same soldier fired at Castleman, causing him severe injuries that eventually proved fatal. The police expressed their deep regret for the tragic outcome of this mistaken identity.

Security Footage and Eyewitness Accounts

Security camera footage obtained by Reuters offers a glimpse into the chaotic scene. The video shows a white car abruptly stopping near the crowded bus stop, from which two armed men swiftly emerge and charge towards the unsuspecting crowd. As panic ensues and people scatter, the Palestinian attackers are swiftly confronted and neutralized by Castleman and the off-duty soldiers.

Additionally, videos circulating on social media captured the brave actions of Castleman. In one such video, he can be seen firing his weapon at one of the attackers, before throwing it away. He then falls to his knees, raising his hands in the air, seemingly signaling to the soldier not to shoot.

Expressing Condolences and Solidarity

The police statement concluded by expressing condolences to Castleman’s family for their loss. They acknowledged his courageous efforts in saving lives and extended their sympathies to the other families affected by the attack. The police also wished a speedy recovery to those injured in the incident.