Border Police Officer Fatally Shot by Police in Netanya After Rampage

New details have emerged regarding the tragic death of Border Police officer David Hoyer Amrani in Netanya on September 5. Amrani was killed after firing his weapon at police officers in the Kiryat HaSharon neighborhood. Shortly before the incident, he was captured on video walking the streets in civilian clothes, armed with a rifle.

It is suspected that Amrani suffered from PTSD. However, the Ministry of Defense's rehabilitation department stated that he was not registered with them and had not sought assistance. Amrani was drafted into the Border Police in August 2024 and initially served in Hebron before being transferred to the 39th company of the Judea and Samaria district about eight months ago.

Friends of Amrani told Ynet that there were no signs of distress in the days leading up to the tragedy. On the evening of September 5, before taking his rifle outside, Amrani had ironed his clothes for the upcoming work week. Witnesses reported that he walked between residential buildings for about twenty minutes, firing bursts into the air. Police arrived and initially suspected a terrorist attack. As he approached the officers, still firing, a shootout ensued, during which Amrani sustained fatal injuries.

Resident Avigal Cohen described the scene: "There were many shots, and it took the police some time to arrive. The man was shooting in the air. People took cover. We were in the garden with my younger sister, everything was calm, and then we saw people panicking and heard automatic gunfire. We ran into a building. He started moving towards us, and we hid in an apartment." Her brother Harel added, "I was on the balcony and heard shooting from the direction of the stadium. I saw the shooter approach my house. I informed the police of all the details and ran to my room for my weapon, to be ready. He looked like he was fully aware of what was happening. He was just moving from one building to another and shooting in the air."

The investigation into the incident is ongoing and is being handled by the Central District Police. Due to the involvement of police officers in the shooting, the case will be transferred to the Police Investigation Department (MAHASH) in the coming days, according to Ynet. Amrani was scheduled to be buried on September 6 in Even Yehuda.

Idan Kleiman, chairman of the Organization of Disabled IDF Veterans, commented on the case, stating, "If we do not deal with this problem, such cases will repeat themselves. It is a very simple sequence: identification (of psychological problems and PTSD), accompaniment, treatment, and continuous assistance." He noted that Amrani had requested a transfer, which he considered a "warning sign." Kleiman emphasized the need for a clear point of contact for soldiers seeking help and immediate treatment upon the onset of crisis symptoms, suggesting the system may have missed these signs in Amrani's case. "The State of Israel knows how to find its fighters when it wants to send them to the battlefield, but it must remember them after their return and take care of them," he concluded, acknowledging that while not all tragedies can be prevented, all efforts must be made to treat soldiers and save lives.