Soldier Opens Fire on Tel Aviv Taxi in Late Night Misidentification
According to a preliminary police investigation, the incident began as a dispute over payment between a 23-year-old tourist from Argentina and a 55-year-old taxi driver. The argument reportedly turned physical, with the driver attempting to prevent the woman from leaving the scene and at one point forcing her back toward the vehicle.
A late-night incident in central Tel Aviv escalated into gunfire after an off-duty soldier mistakenly believed he was witnessing a kidnapping or terror attack, police said Wednesday.
The shooting took place overnight on Rothschild Boulevard. Officers responding to reports of gunfire found a taxi with a shattered window and broken glass scattered at the scene. No injuries were reported.
According to a preliminary police investigation, the incident began as a dispute over payment between a 23-year-old tourist from Argentina and a 55-year-old taxi driver. The argument reportedly turned physical, with the driver attempting to prevent the woman from leaving the scene and at one point forcing her back toward the vehicle.
A 26-year-old soldier from an elite unit, who was off duty and passing nearby, interpreted the confrontation as a possible abduction or terror-related incident. He drew his personal firearm and opened fire at the taxi, striking one of its windows.
Police detained all three individuals involved and brought them in for questioning at the Lev Tel Aviv station. The weapon used in the shooting was confiscated, and investigators have since determined that no abduction took place.
Authorities said the investigation is ongoing and will focus on the sequence of events, the level of force used, and the soldier’s decision to open fire in a civilian area.