A gunman has opened fire at the offices of a Jewish organisation in the US city of Seattle, killing one person and injuring at least five others. The suspect reportedly burst into the offices of the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle saying he was an American Muslim angered by Israel.
He gave himself for arrest without a struggle, police said.
Security has been stepped up at the city’s synagogues and buildings used by Jewish organisations.
‘Crime of hate’
The Jewish Federation was one of the sponsors of a rally this week in support of Israeli attacks against Hezbollah in Lebanon.
“A few minutes before four o’clock an unknown assailant gained access to our secure building brandishing a firearm,” Amy Wasser-Simpson, a spokesperson for the centre, told BBC radio.
Staff members have said the suspect opened fire after shouting: “I’m a Muslim American; I’m angry at Israel.”
Three of those hurt in the attack had received emergency surgery for their injuries, Seattle hospital officials said.
Seattle’s Mayor, Greg Nickels, said the attack was “a purposeful, hateful act as far we know, by an individual acting alone”.
“This is a crime of hate,” he said.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/americas/5226390.stm
Published: 2006/07/29 05:17:50 GMT
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