Shooting of Rishon party singer was planned, say police

The fatal shooting of an event singer at a private party in Rishon Lezion on Friday was likely premeditated, according to police.

The police said they suspect Roman Simhayev, 41, was targeted on purpose.

“This was a hit, the people who wanted him dead knew what they were doing,” a senior police source told Channel 2, adding that there were increasing suspicions this was a professional job.

An earlier report said Simhayev was shot during the course of a heated argument with a party-goer, during which the latter pulled out a gun and shot him.

Simhayev, according to police findings, then called his brother, who arrived at the scene a short time later and was shot himself.

The brother was taken by paramedics to Assaf Harofeh Medical Center in moderate-to-serious condition.

For an unspecified reason, paramedics did not take the singer, who was shot in the head, to hospital. It was not yet clear how he arrived at Wolfson Medical Center in Bat Yam in critical condition but police said it was of his own volition. He later died of his wounds.

Three people, including the owners of the restaurant where the incident occurred, were arrested and their remand extended on Friday.

Six people were initially detained.