Tel Aviv Gunman Kills 2 at Gay Center

By Neal Colgrass,  Newser Staff
Posted Aug 1, 2009 7:41 PM CDT
Tel Aviv Gunman Kills 2 at Gay Center
An injured man is treated as he is brought into Ichilov hospital following a shooting in a gay club on August 1, 2009 in Tel Aviv, Israel.   (Getty Images)

A gunman burst into a gay community center in Tel Aviv tonight and opened fire, killing two teenagers and wounding 15 with a machine gun, the Jerusalem Post reports. Police have launched a manhunt for the masked assailant, who is not believed to be a terrorist. "Today, someone sent a message that gays in Tel Aviv and Israel are not safe," said gay rights activist Yaniv Weisman.

"They came to this center from across the country to talk to one another and receive help," said Weisman, in tears. "Someone knew what they were doing when they came here." Members of the gay community wandered around in shock as paramedics tended to victims, two of whom were in critical condition. Protesters gathered outside with candles and signs. One read, "Love is allowed, killing is forbidden." (More gay activists stories.)

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