Around 1:30 am (6:30 ET) on Sunday, police said in a statement that “an armed terrorist opened fire on a bus and vehicles in a parking lot near Jerusalem’s Old City.”
Two Americans are being treated at Hadassah Medical Center and three Americans are being treated at Shaare Zedek Medical Center, according to hospitals. Hospitals said at least two of the injured Americans were tourists. Israeli media had previously reported that the four American victims were tourists and family members.
According to emergency services, two of the victims were in serious condition, while the other six suffered minor to moderate injuries. One of the injured was pregnant and had an emergency cesarean section. Both mother and baby are in serious condition, according to Shaare Zedek hospital.
The US Embassy in Jerusalem said it was “shocked and saddened” by the attack. They confirmed that US citizens were among the victims and were collecting more information.
“We strongly condemn all acts of terrorism and escalation,” an embassy spokesperson told CNN. Said.
“Our thoughts are with the loved ones of the victims and we wish them all a speedy and full recovery,” the statement said. Said.
US Ambassador to Israel Tom Nides also condemned Sunday’s attack. “I strongly condemn the terrorist attack outside Jerusalem’s Old City. I pray for a speedy recovery for all innocent victims,” Nides said on Twitter.
“It is deeply saddening 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.”
Nides was confirmed as the US Ambassador to Israel in November 2021 and is married to Virginia Moseley, CNN’s deputy editor-in-chief of the network’s US operation.
The shooter fled the scene, followed by security forces, Shin Bet and the IDF. Police said a helicopter from the Israeli Police air unit assisted the search efforts.
The suspect later surrendered to the police. According to a police spokesperson, the gun he was carrying was confiscated.
A security source told CNN that the suspect was an Israeli citizen from East Jerusalem.
The security source told CNN that he is not known for any terrorism-related crimes, but has a criminal record and is serving time in jail.
The source said the suspect, whose identity has not been released, was born in 1996.
Israeli media described him as a Palestinian with Israeli citizenship.
Police and forensic teams started work at the scene to investigate the attack.
Sunday’s shooting came after dozens of Palestinians were killed in clashes in Gaza last weekend. A ceasefire was declared last Sunday between Israel and the Islamic Jihad militant group in Gaza.
This story has been updated.
CNN’s Alex Stambaugh and Jonny Hallam contributed to the story.
