Suspect in Rishon Lezion Lawyer Murder Denies Shooting Despite Initial Confession

A man in his 20s suspected of murdering a lawyer in Rishon Lezion was brought in for an extended detention hearing on August 5, 2026. Initially, the suspect confessed to shooting the lawyer over a compensation debt, telling police "I shot him," but he later retracted his confession and now denies all charges. The suspect, originally from central Israel and currently living in the south, has a criminal record and was previously a client of the victim.

The incident occurred around 1 p.m. at the lawyer's office, where a dispute reportedly escalated over a 15,000 shekel compensation claim related to a car accident. The suspect said he had been pursuing the lawyer for three years to receive the money. After a heated argument, the suspect allegedly drew a gun loaded with five bullets and fired at least four shots, leaving the lawyer unconscious. Medical teams later declared the lawyer dead.

Following the shooting, the suspect fled the scene with the firearm, which he is suspected to have discarded in fields between Ashdod and Ashkelon. He surrendered to police around 4 p.m. the same day and promised to help locate the weapon. Authorities are investigating how the suspect obtained the unlicensed gun. The suspect's lawyer described him as mentally unstable and denied that the shooting was premeditated murder.

Police continue to gather testimonies from witnesses, including the lawyer's partner who heard the confrontation and a person who accompanied the suspect to the office floor. The suspect's criminal background includes property offenses and possibly weapons-related crimes. The investigation remains ongoing as police search for the missing firearm and verify the suspect's claims.

Summary: A man in his 20s surrendered after allegedly shooting his lawyer in Rishon Lezion over a compensation debt dispute. Though he initially confessed, he now denies the charges. Police are searching for the discarded gun and investigating the case further.