Samuel Sheinbein, a notorious killer from the U.S., was shot and killed inside an Israeli prison during a gun battle with prison guards. Three guards were shot in the blaze of gunfire, with one in critical condition.
Sheinbein, who was 33, was a high school student in 1997 at the age of 17 when he killed a teenager with another friend, used an electric saw to cut the arms and legs off the victim and wrapped the victim’s torso inside trash bags.
Then, while being searched for by U.S. detectives, Sheinbein made his way to Israel. He succeeded in fending off his extradition, but eventually pled guilty in Israel to killing 19-year old Alfredo Tello Jr. He was given a sentence of 24 years in prison.
A rift between the governments of Israel and the U.S. was created when the case first broke, when Israel said it would honor Sheinbein’s refusal to not return to the U.S.
Israel eventually changed and sided with U.S. officials, but the courts in Israel sided with Sheinbein. His case prompted Israel to change the way it handles such matters.
Authorities still do not know what the motives were for Sheinbein to start a firefight or how he was able to have a firearm in his possession. However, around 2 p.m. he started shooting at three guards inside the prison.
Officials at the prison closed off a section of the prison and Sheinbein then isolated himself in a prison cell.
Shortly thereafter counterterrorism officers took over. They attempted to communicate with him, but just 90 minutes following the first shot, he starting firing more.
The counterterrorism unit returned Sheinbein’s fire and killed him.
Prior to Sunday’s shootout, Sheinbein was eligible for furloughs from prison grounds. Just a month ago, while on furlough, he attempted to buy a pistol on the Internet.
When originally convicted in 1999 he was said to be eligible parole in 2013 and officials from the U.S. were attempting to find out if he was going to be paroled.
Sheinbein’s lawyer in Israel said she had spoken to her client only a few days before the shooting and said she had been concerned for his mental health.
Roxanne Briean
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