Man shot dead in Ashkelon in suspected gang hit

22-year-old said to be associated with Lavi family, some of whose members have been feuding with their ex-partners in Benny Shlomo’s organization after he was killed last year

By ToI Staff 1 October 2023, 7:03 pmUpdated at 8:18 pm

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Illustrative: Firemen and police officers at the scene where a car exploded in Rishon Lezion on July 3, 2022. (Yossi Aloni/Flash90)

A man was shot dead Sunday in the southern coastal city of Ashkelon, in a suspected gangland killing.

Magen David Adom ambulance services tried resuscitating the man at the scene of the shooting and he was later declared dead at the southern coastal city’s Laniado Hospital.

Police later announced two suspects were detained in connection to the shooting of the 22-year-old and said Deputy Commissioner Amir Cohen, who heads the southern police district where Ashkelon is located, met with senior officers to discuss the investigation.

The man was identified by Hebrew media reports as a well-known criminal, with Channel 12 news reporting he was arrested two weeks ago.

The report also said the man was a member of the Lavi crime family.

After crime boss Benny Shlomo was killed last year, his organization fractured, with some members reportedly joining the Lavi family while others chose not to do so.

The two sides are now engaged in a feud.