American Opens Fire in Israeli Resort Hotel

Police in the Israeli Eilat resort are investigating a deadly hotel shooting. File photo

An American citizen has opened fire in the lobby of a hotel in the Israeli Red Sea resort town of Eilat.

He killed one person in the Leonardo Club hotel before being shot dead by special police forces.

The shooting happened at a time the resort is packed with visitors over the week-long Jewish holiday of Sukkot, or Feast of Tabernacles.

After being alerted of the incident, police sealed off the premises and asked for backup while visitors were ordered to stay in their rooms.

Local police are quoted saying the man fled to the kitchen, barricaded himself and locked the door, but did not take any hostages. He later opened fire when police attempted to negotiate with him. At that point, security forces fired back and killed him.

According to radio Israel, the attacker had snatched a gun from a security guard before shooting dead a hotel employee.

Two other tourists were taken to hospital suffering from shock. The motives for the shooting were not immediately clear.

There are controversial reports on the perpetrator's identity with some media saying he is a young American-Jewish tourist and other informing he had been an employee of the hotel who had an argument with a colleague.

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!