Public Security Minister Yitzchak Aharonovich
Public Security Minister Yitzchak AharonovichIsrael news photo: Flash 90 / archive

Police are closing in on the youth who stabbed and murdered a father of two in Be’er Sheva on Friday night, Minister of Internal Security Yitzchak Aharonovich said Sunday. Aharonovich spoke to Michal Vichman, widow of the victim.

Police announced, Sunday evening, that they had arrested eight youths, including a minor, on suspicion of involvement in the murder. They said they were questioning the suspects, who faced hearings for extension of their remand.

He expressed regret for the police’s failure to prevent the killing, and said officers involved will face an investigation.

Michal and neighbors had called police multiple times before the killing to complain that a group of youths was making excessive noise. Michal also warned that at least two of the youths seemed to be fighting.

Her husband Gadi was killed a short time later when he went downstairs to ask the young men to quiet down.

“I am shocked and appalled at the many dreadful murders that have taken place recently,” Aharonovich told Vichman. “The ridiculous ease with which these criminals take others’ lives cannot continue.”

“I will do everything in my power to fight the crime and criminal behavior that lead to these tragic results,” he pledged.