At around 1:30 a.m. local time (6:30 p.m. ET) on Sunday, “a terrorist armed with a gun opened fire on buses and vehicles at a parking lot near Jerusalem’s Old City,” police said in a statement.
According to information from the hospitals, two Americans are being treated at Hadassah Medical Center, and three are being treated at Shaare Zedek Medical Center. Hospitals said at least two of the injured Americans were tourists. Israeli media previously reported that the four American victims were tourists and members of the same family.
According to emergency services, two of the victims are in serious condition, while the other six are in light to moderate condition. One of the injured was pregnant and underwent an emergency caesarean section. According to Shaare Zedek hospital, the condition of mother and baby is serious.
The US embassy in Jerusalem said they were “shocked and saddened” by the attack. They confirmed that US citizens were among the victims and that they are gathering more information.
“We strongly condemn all acts of terrorism and actions that further escalate tensions,” an embassy spokesperson told CNN.
“Our thoughts are with the relatives of the victims and we wish them all a speedy and complete recovery,” the statement said.
US Ambassador to Israel Tom Nides also condemned the attack on Sunday. “I strongly condemn the terrorist attack near the Old City of Jerusalem. I pray for the speedy recovery of all innocent victims,” Nides tweeted.
“I am deeply saddened to confirm that Americans were injured in this attack. I have spoken to the families and will keep them in my prayers. I continue to monitor the situation,” he said.
Nides was confirmed as the US ambassador to Israel in November 2021 and is married to Virginia Moseley, CNN’s executive vice president of editorial for US operations.
The shooter fled the scene and was pursued by security forces, the Shin Bet and the IDF. According to the police, a helicopter belonging to the air division of the Israeli police helped in the search.
The suspect later turned himself into police. According to the police representative, the weapon he was carrying was taken away.
According to CNN, the suspect is an Israeli citizen from East Jerusalem.
He was not known for any terror-related crimes, but had a criminal record and spent time in prison, a security source told CNN.
According to the source, the unidentified suspect was born in 1996.
Israeli media have described him as a Palestinian with Israeli citizenship.
According to the police, police and forensic experts have started operations at the scene to investigate the attack.
Sunday’s shooting comes after dozens of Palestinians were killed in fighting in Gaza last weekend. A ceasefire between Israel and the Islamic Jihad armed group in Gaza was announced last Sunday.
This story has been updated.
CNN’s Alex Stambaugh and Jonny Hallam reported.
