Attempted Arson on Public Bus: Suspect Tries to Set 12-Year-Old Boy on Fire
A man in his 30s poured gasoline on a child traveling to school and attempted to ignite it. The suspect was apprehended by security forces while attempting to flee.
A horrifying incident occurred this morning (Sunday) around 8:45 AM on a public bus traveling from Jerusalem to the community of Beitar Illit. A suspect, a Jerusalem resident in his 30s, allegedly attempted to set fire to a 12-year-old boy sitting on the bus.
According to the preliminary police investigation, the suspect boarded the bus prepared in advance with a bottle containing flammable liquid. While driving on Route 375, the suspect poured the liquid onto the child and attempted to ignite it with a lighter.
The victim, a resident of Jerusalem who was traveling to his educational institution in Beitar Illit, sustained minor injuries to his hands during the assault. The bus driver, noticing the unfolding horror, immediately stopped the vehicle to allow passengers to escape.
The suspect attempted to exploit the chaos to flee the scene, but he was quickly captured by an officer from the "Hetz Yehuda" YASAM tactical unit and IDF soldiers who were stationed in the area.
A Police Spokesperson stated: "Preliminary investigation details suggest the suspect boarded the bus equipped and prepared for his actions. It is a true miracle that he did not succeed in completing his plot. At this stage, it appears the motive is criminal, likely a dispute between the suspect and the victim's father."
The suspect was taken for interrogation at the Etzion Station in the Judea District. The police are expected to request an extension of his detention in court later today.