MOSCOW (Sputnik) – At least two individuals were killed and seven others injured when the assailant opened fire from an automatic weapon at a central Tel Aviv pub on New Year's Day Friday afternoon.
"All of our emphasis at this moment in time is finding that suspect and all the different organizations – security organizations here in Israel – are working together to find that man," spokesman Micky Rosenfeld told the CNN broadcaster.
The outlet says police have identified the shooter as 31-year-old Melhem, an Arab-Israeli who lives in northern Israel.
A nationwide manhunt was launched for the gunman. Police, who lifted a partial gag order and urged citizens to be vigilant, do not rule out the shooting was a terror attack.
Family members told national media the suspected gunman, who was seen by security footage browsing at a food store before stepping outside and opening fire, suffered from mental issues.
