Police say evidence links suspect to brutal shooting of Olga and Ruslan Prikhodko in central Israel”
Police have arrested a 17-year-old Israeli Arab on suspicion of involvement in the murder of Olga and Ruslan Prikhodko, a couple from Rishon LeZion whose bodies were found inside their vehicle in central Israel.
The couple was discovered over the weekend in an open area between Mishmar Ayalon and Karmei Yosef. Initial findings indicated that both had been shot to death.
Investigators now believe the double murder may have been carried out with a nationalist motive. Police say they possess substantial evidence linking the teenage suspect to the killings.
The investigation initially examined the possibility of murder-suicide, but that theory weakened after Ruslan’s licensed handgun was not found at the scene. Investigators later discovered the weapon secured inside the couple’s home safe, and no gunshot residue was found on Ruslan’s hands.
The Shin Bet was brought into the investigation at an early stage, and the case was transferred to the Central District Major Crimes Unit.
Police also detained five additional suspects during the investigation, but they were later released after questioning showed they were not connected to the case.
Authorities are now focusing on the 17-year-old suspect, whose background reportedly includes a brother previously involved in a deadly vehicular terror attack in central Israel.
The case has deepened public shock over the brutal killing of the Rishon LeZion couple and raised renewed concern over nationalist violence inside Israel.
