67-year-old Benny Hesse, Director of the Haifa branch of the Hevra Kadisha burial society, was murdered on Sunday evening. Police said he was shot several times at the entrance to his home in Haifa’s Ahuza neighborhood, while his wife stood beside him.

A preliminary investigation revealed that Hesse was shot by several gunmen who ambushed him when he returned to his home, shot him and fled. A team of Magen David Adom paramedics who was called to the scene tried to revive Hesse, but unfortunately had no choice other than declaring him dead.

This was not the first time that Hesse, a former teacher and senior IDF officer, had been attacked. A few years ago vandals poured acid on him. He survived that attack.

“The man was a truly righteous man and he was accepted by all streams. An amazing person. The residents of Haifa are shocked by the murder,” a longtime resident of Haifa told Arutz Sheva’s Hebrew website on Sunday. A former student of Hesse told Arutz Sheva: “I knew him for many years. This is a truly righteous man. It’s hard for us to digest the news.”

An acquaintance of Hesse added that he was “an impeccably professional gentleman. He was a man of great stature. He helped charity organizations and other activities of all kinds throughout the city. He’s a role model and much will be said about him."

MK Daniel Hershkowitz, Minister of Science and Technology and a resident of Haifa, expressed his deep shock at the murder. “These vile killers took out a well-known, powerful and popular public figure,” he said.

Hesse left behind a wife and four children. Police have launched an investigation into his murder, but are not providing information as to the direction of the inquiry..