Police arrest man in murder of Rishon Lezion contractor; suspect is a relative

Nissim Assayag was shot at point-blank range during meeting at side of a road; he was laid to rest earlier Friday; two others detained for allegedly aiding suspect

Police on Friday arrested a suspect in the murder of a real estate developer who was shot at point-blank range the day before in Rishon Lezion.

The suspect, 59, a relative of victim Nissim Assayag, was arrested in Ashdod.

On Saturday, police announced the arrest of two more suspects — residents of Ashdod and Rishon Lezion — for allegedly aiding the main suspect following the shooting.

Assayag, 60, succumbed to his wounds on Thursday evening at Rishon Lezion’s Shamir Medical Center after being shot.

The victim, who Hebrew media described as a well-known contractor from Rishon Lezion, exited a taxi in the town when he was approached by the suspect. Police said they exchanged a few words before the gunman fired and fled.

Assayag was rushed to the hospital in serious condition. Doctors were forced to declare his death shortly thereafter.

He was laid to rest on Friday. His daughter told the Ynet news site that a security camera video of the killing showed clearly that the suspect was the relative eventually apprehended by police.

“He murdered him in cold blood,” she said.

The cause for his murder was not immediately clear.