IDF officer killed in Hebron by soldier’s accidental gun discharge

2nd Lt. David Golovenchik was drilling his platoon on a potential attack; soldiers apparently did not properly discharge weapons prior to exercise

By ToI Staff 5 July 2017, 1:13 am

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2nd Lt. David Golovenchik (Courtesy IDF)

An IDF officer was killed in Hebron Tuesday when his subordinate accidentally discharged his weapon and hit him during a nighttime drill.

At around 8 p.m. a Golani platoon under 2nd Lt. David Golovenchik’s command held a routine drill simulating a stabbing attack at the Jilber checkpoint, between Hebron’s Palestinian and Jewish neighborhoods. However, an initial probe has indicated that in violation of safety protocols, soldiers neglected to clear their weapons of ammunition prior to starting the drill.

During the drill a rifle of one of the soldiers fired, hitting Golovenchik in the upper body. He was evacuated by helicopter from the scene of the accident in very serious condition but later died of his wounds.

Following the accident IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot ordered a halt to all exercises on Thursday and a review of safety precautions throughout all units. The army has launched a full probe into the circumstances of the accident.

Golovenchik, 22, from the settlement of Efrat, is survived by his parents, two brothers and two sisters. He was posthumously promoted to the rank of lieutenant. His funeral will be held Wednesday at 4 p.m. in the Mount Herzl military cemetery in Jerusalem.