Driver Rams Car Into Crowd in Jerusalem, 5 Injured

JERUSALEM— -- At least five people were injured Friday when a motorist rammed his car into a group of pedestrians near an east Jerusalem light-rail stop, police said.

Israeli police say the driver got out of the vehicle wielding a knife and attempted to stab passersby before he was shot by police. Israeli Police spokeswoman Luba Samri described the assault as a "terror attack” and says four of those injured in the attack were police officers.

Israeli Superintendent Micky Rosenfeld tweeted about the incident as it unfolded:

The wounded were hospitalized at the city’s Hadassah Har Hatzofim hospital, two with moderate injuries, and the others with minor injuries.

Helicopters hovered over the neighborhood, and video purporting to capture the scene of the attack shows heavy police presence, sirens wailing.

A Jerusalem Post photographer was on hand.

Rosenfeld tweeted that the suspect has been shot, and the city remains under heightened security.

Police are still trying to identify the attacker. The car he was driving was registered to a Palestinian from east Jerusalem, The Associated Press reported.

Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri was quick to praise the "heroic" attack, according to reports, but did not claim responsibility. Today’s attack occurred at the same place where a similar attack killed one police officer and injured more than a dozen back in December. Jerusalem mayor Nir Barkat vowed to "keep fighting terrorism,” noting that the the city's Purim celebrations would be held as scheduled later today.