Dec. 12 (UPI) -- An alleged gunman who killed a 12-year-old Israeli boy and injured three others in the West Bank on Wednesday night has turned himself in, the Israeli military said.
The unidentified suspect turned himself in to the authorities Thursday morning following a mass search for the man, the Israel Defense Forces said in a brief statement.
Israel's Magen David Adom emergency services said the shooting occurred at about 11:36 p.m. Wednesday in Gush Etzion near Beit Jala in Israel-occupied West Bank. It said shots were fired at a bus traveling on Route 60.
Paramedics treated two people at the scene while two others -- a 12-year-old boy and a 40-year-old woman -- were transported to local hospitals.
It said the boy, who been shot and was in serious condition, was transported to Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital in Jerusalem, while the woman, whose condition was listed as moderate, was taken to Shaare Zedek Medical Center, also in Jerusalem.
The boy, identified as Yehoshua Aharon Tuvia, was declared dead Thursday morning, The Times of Israel reported.
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MDA Spokesperson: At 23:36, a report was received about a shooting at a bus on Route 60 near Beit Jala. MDA EMTs and paramedics treated and evacuated two injured to Hadassah Ein Kerem: a 12-year-old child in serious condition and a 40-year-old woman in mild condition pic.twitter.com/53fUs2Vn4k— Magen David Adom (@Mdais) December 11, 2024
President Isaac Herzog of Israel said in a statement on X on Thursday that Tuvia had been returning from an unspecified family celebration when he was shot.
"I wish to console and embrace his family and friends during this deeply painful and sorrowful time for the people of Israel," Herzog said in a statement.
"I send strength to the residents of Gush Etzion during their difficult hour, as well as to the IDF soldiers and security forces who operate on various fronts under immense pressure. I trust that the security forces will apprehend the despicable terrorist."