Military Police investigators on Wednesday arrested a combat soldier in the elite Duvdevan infantry unit who is believed to have accidentally fired the bullet that killed fellow soldier Sgt. Shahar Strug, 20, from Givatayim.
Military sources initially said Tuesday’s shooting was the result of the suspect, and possibly also the victim, playing with his gun, which accidentally went off.
Strug was rushed to Hadassah Mount Scopus Hospital in Jerusalem, where doctors were forced to pronounce him dead.
The Military Police said its findings will be handed over to the Military Prosecution, where manslaughter charges may be leveled against the suspect, who has not been identified.
Illustrative image of Israeli soldiers take part in a training drill in Baf Lachish army base in Southern Israel, December 20, 2016. (Maor Kinsbursky/Flash90)
Strug’s funeral was taking place Wednesday afternoon at the Kiryat Shaul Military Cemetery in northern Tel Aviv.
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Central Command chief Maj. Gen. Nadav Padan ordered an investigation.
Asked about the arrest of the suspect on Wednesday, the IDF said in a statement: “A Military Police investigation is underway into the incident. As part of that [investigation], the soldier whose gun fired the bullet was questioned. At the conclusion of the investigation, the Military Police will hand over its findings to the Military Prosecution.”
The soldier was expected to face a military judge later in the day for a hearing on whether to keep him in custody.
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