Tel Aviv Security Guard Murdered By Terrorist, Another Guard Eliminates Terrorist In Shootout

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — About an hour before the end of Shabbos, two Tel Aviv security guards were patrolling the trendy Montifiore section of the city when they saw a suspicious figure near the cafes and restaurants. The two asked him for his identity and in response he brandished a weapon and fired at them, critically wounding one of the guards.

As panicking onlookers fled the scene, the other guard opened fire and succeeded in eliminating the terrorist, who was later identified as 22-year-old Kamel Abu Baqr, a wanted man from Rummanah who had been hiding in Jenin in the last six months. It is not clear how he succeeded illegally in reaching Tel Aviv while armed and an investigation has been opened.

The guard was rushed to the nearby Ichilov hospital but died of his wounds a short time later. He was identified as 42-year-old Chen Amir, who is survived by his wife Vered and  three daughters. Chen’s family agreed to harvest his organs for medical purposes.

The  guard who succeeded in eliminating the terrorist told Israel Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai how the event unfolded.

“My partner parked his motorcycle and the terrorist drew his weapon from his bag and fired at him,” he said. “I chased after him and fired at him until he fell.”

Shabtai, who arrived on scene, praised the guards’ actions: “There is no doubt that the quick and professional action saved lives,” he said. “A few meters from here, we can see the cafes full of people and understand the enormity of the tragedy which was prevented. That is thanks to the alacrity and willingness to engage [ the terrorist].”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded: “Sara and I send our deepest condolences to the family of Chen Amir ,the Tel Aviv guard who was murdered in a terrorist attack today. Chen prevented with his own body a significant attack and saved many lives. Our security forces will settle accounts with everyone who seeks to attack us.”