Shamil Abasov, 33: Taxi driver and father of two young girls
Israeli-Azerbaijani shot dead while driving partygoers away from Supernova festival, October 7
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on Google
Shamil Abasov, 33, from Beersheba, was killed by terrorists who opened fire at his taxi on October 7 near the Supernova rave.
He was buried on October 13 in Beersheba. He is survived by his two young daughters, his parents Azamat and Jenia and his siblings.
Shamil, a dual Israeli-Azerbaijani citizen who immigrated to Israel, was driving two young women away from the Supernova music festival near Re’im when he encountered a group of terrorists ambushing vehicles along the road.
He managed to warn his passengers to take cover before the gunmen shot him dead. The car veered off the road into a forest. The two passengers were found hours later, alive, having survived the attack.
Shamil’s brother, Daniel, eulogized him saying “to your last moment you watched out for others and saved civilians,” the local Beersheva B7net outlet reported.
Friends described him as having a sharp sense of humor and always with an amusing story to tell.
Shamil was a known computer gamer who participated in international contests.
The Israeli Esports Association said in a statement that Shamil was an active member of the national eFootball community and had competed in World Championship qualifiers.
“He was a beloved friend and a devoted member, who perpetuated the spirit of sportsmanship and Israeliness everywhere he went,” the association said. “We had the privilege of knowing you and playing with you, Shamil.”
His friend Ilya Egorov wrote to “my dear Shamil” on Facebook, noting all those who showed up for his funeral: “family, childhood friends, all the people you touched.”
“We always knew that everybody loved you — your sarcastic sense of humor, you always laughed at me when Liverpool lost, at the Goaltime [soccer club], at weddings of friends. You always had a hilarious story from the cab,” he wrote. “In that cab you brought partiers to the rave in Re’im, and in that cab you rescued partiers from there and never came back.”
Marking 30 days since he was killed, his brother Daniel wrote online: “My brother Shamil, the hero, you are so missed, you will always be in my heart. I know that you are always at my side, even when you’re not here, and that you will always protect your family, because you lived a hero and died a hero. I’ll remember you forever, who you were for me and for everyone, I love you forever my brother.”
The Times of Israel Community.