The off-duty soldier arrested for killing another driver on Thursday night had his detention extended until Wednesday, Ynet reported, as his self-defense claims were contradicted by the testimony of the victim's brother.
Sharif Mufak Hadid, a 26-year-old from Daliat al-Carmel, was fatally shot on Highway 6 by Shalev Hajaj, a 21-year-old off-duty IDF soldier who was in civilian clothes at the time. Hadid's brother, Amir, was with him in the car.
"We were coming home from work on Highway 6," Amir told Ynet, describing how the argument began due to one car overtaking the other. "The guy opened his window, started to argue, shout, and eventually he asked us to pull over on the shoulder. We stopped, and then he pulled out a gun and came towards our car, towards Sharif."
Sharif, Amir said, must have been afraid when he saw the gun, as he opened the door and started yelling. "Before I could get him back in the car, the guy shot him five or six times. He didn't even make threats; he just shot him right away with his M-16."
Soldier's attorney claims he acted in self-defense
Hajaj's attorney, Ronen Haliva, claimed events transpired differently. "We're talking about a combat soldier from an elite unit, returning from his sister's swearing-in ceremony with his brother and their wives," he said. "While they were driving on Highway 6, another car with two passengers started driving aggressively and recklessly."
Haliva stated that Hajaj chose to pull over on the side of the road to avoid danger. When he did, Haliva claims, the other car stopped in front of him, and the two passengers got out and approached his vehicle.
"He was protecting himself and made a warning shot. The moment he realized that the other one had been wounded, he ran back to his car to bring a tourniquet."
Hajaj is under investigation for murder, shooting with a firearm in a manner that endangers human life, threats, causing damage to a vehicle, and concealing evidence. His brother, age 25, is also under investigation for
accessory to murder, threats, obstruction of justice, and concealing evidence.