At least four people are dead following a suspected robbery gone wrong or a revenge shooting at a Bersheeba, Israel, bank on Monday.
Included among the dead are the gunman and three women, Ynet News reported. Several others have been injured, and one is in serious condition, authorities said.
The gunman was apparently upset that his application for a loan had been denied, and he could have been taking out his revenge, police said, Ynet reported.
The suspect, still unnamed but age 40, grabbed a hostage and holed up inside the Hapoalim Bank, police said. Authorities tried to negotiate with him, and he ended up releasing that hostage. Shortly after, he killed himself, Ynet reported. Police are trying to nail down a motive and are pursuing a variety of leads.
“There probably was just one perpetrator, and at this point we’re not sure that it was a robbery,” said Internal Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch on Ynet. “There [are] all kinds of speculation in all kinds of directions going around right now. I suppose we will learn the details in the coming hours.”
Witnesses said the suspect initially shot a security guard, then reloaded and continued firing his weapon, Ynet reported. Witnesses also said the shooter checked to ensure his victims were dead.
Rescue officials are at the scene, Ynet reported.
Included among the dead are the gunman and three women, Ynet News reported. Several others have been injured, and one is in serious condition, Israeli authorities said.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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