A young man from the Aitani family opened fire with an automatic weapon on worshippers as they left Friday prayers from one of the mosques located on the Makawi road in Bar Elias, resulting in one fatality and a large number of injuries. The deceased was identified as high school economics teacher Ali Shibli, who was married with children and in his forties. The secondary school "Hosh al-Harimeh" expressed their condolences on their Facebook page in the afternoon.
A Lebanese security source reported on Friday that one person was killed and three others injured during gunfire near a mosque in Beqaa.
It was reported that the shooter is from Beirut and resides in the town in a "container," owning a coffee vending machine near the mosque, and there are indications that he suffers from psychological disorders. Later, a group of young people set fire to the "container" where the shooter was residing.
**Army Statement**
A statement from the Army Command – Directorate of Guidance, read: "Today, a patrol from the Directorate of Intelligence in the town of Bar Elias - Beqaa arrested a citizen (A.I.) for firing at individuals as they left one of the mosques in the area, resulting in the death of one of them. During the arrest, the mentioned citizen fired at the patrol members, who returned fire, resulting in his injury. He was transported to a hospital for treatment."
**Beqaa Governor's Statement**
Beqaa Governor Judge Kamal Abu Joudeh called on all police officers and municipal staff to maintain order and public safety in the town, to provide necessary assistance, and to support security forces when needed, urging the residents of Bar Elias "to exercise the utmost awareness and responsibility."
The family of the secondary school "Hosh al-Harimeh" mourned economics teacher Ali Shibli through their Facebook page, who was killed during the shooting incident targeting worshippers as they exited the mosque.
