Netanya Shooting: Family Condemns Rumors After Soldier's Death

As investigators continue examining Saturday night's deadly shooting incident in Netanya, relatives of David Hoyer Amrani, a Border Police soldier who was shot and killed by police forces, have issued a sharp statement condemning the wave of rumors and speculation flooding social media.

According to a report by i24NEWS, the family is requesting that the public refrain from drawing conclusions until official findings are released. "We are still waiting for the autopsy results and will not provide any statement until we receive all the answers," family members said.

They added: "We have a lot to say, and anyone rushing to spread rumors and nonsense is being disrespectful and harming David's honor. Only G-d knows how this happened, why it happened, and what he went through in those moments. We ask that the speculation stop and that our family be allowed to mourn with dignity."

The incident unfolded Saturday night in Netanya's Kiryat HaSharon neighborhood, when Amrani was seen walking through city streets armed with an M-16 rifle, firing bursts into the air. According to reports, the 20-year-old soldier fired toward residential buildings, causing hundreds of frightened residents to flee and seek shelter in neighbors' apartments.

Large police forces were dispatched to the scene around 7:00 PM and identified Amrani as a suspect engaged in what appeared to be hostile activity. A rapid field investigation completely ruled out the nationalist angle.

At a certain point, the soldier began advancing toward officers while continuing to fire into the air. A brief exchange of gunfire ensued, during which he was neutralized. Medics from Magen David Adom who arrived at the scene provided initial treatment, but he was later pronounced dead. Fortunately, no other casualties were reported among police officers or civilians.

In their emotional appeal, family members called on the public to cease spreading harmful speculation. "The dissemination of rumors directly harms the honor of our beloved deceased," they emphasized, while requesting to be allowed to mourn quietly and with dignity.

Information released about the deceased soldier's military service indicates that David Hoyair Amrani enlisted for mandatory service in the Border Police in August 2024. Following completion of his combat training, he was initially assigned to serve in the Hebron sector as part of the Border Police's West Bank division, and approximately six months ago transferred to serve in Company 39 of the brigade.

He is survived by his parents and two brothers.

Officials from the Israel Police and Border Police Command stated that the security forces share in the family's deep sorrow and will continue to support them during this difficult time.