Cop fires shot in air as partygoers riot during raid on illegal rave

A police officer fired into the air as partygoers attacked cops when they arrived to break up an illegal party near the northern town of Migdal on Friday.

In footage of the raid, an officer can be seen firing his gun in the air as attendees threw stones, chairs and bottles at the cops. The officer appears to be tussling with at least one partygoer at the time he discharges his weapon.

Police said the officer’s action was justified as he felt his life was endangered. There were no injuries as a result of the gunfire.

In a statement, the police said officers arrived at the party after receiving complaints of noise in the area and found the gathering of dozens of young partygoers, with some of them thought to be under the influence of drugs.

“As we scanned the area in order to see if any of the young people needed medical attention and to notify the participants that the party was over, we noticed a person who aroused our suspicion. During his arrest, some of the youth began to riot and throw objects and stones towards the policemen,” police said.

Four people were arrested in the raid, loudspeaker equipment was confiscated and the event’s organizers were detained for questioning.

שוטרים הגיעו למסיבה לא חוקית בצפון, הותקפו – וחילצו עצמם תוך יריות באוויר | תיעוד pic.twitter.com/jXlV7UpFcw

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Police said the hosts of the event are expected to be fined up to thousands of shekels for organizing the party without a permit.

According to the Ynet news site, a number of participants of the illegal rave were fined NIS 350 (approximately $104).

Additional arrests in connection to the event are expected to be made in the future, police said.