NETANYA, Israel - One of Israel's top organized crime figures has been gunned down in a drive-by shooting.Police say two men on a motorcycle opened fire on Francois Abutbul early Sunday as he stopped to fill up at a gas station north of the coastal city of Netanya.
Initial details released from the investigation suggest that after entering the gas station and stopping by one of the pumps, a gunman rode up to the driver's side of Abutbul's vehicle on a motorcycle, opened fire and then fled the scene.
The police believe Abutbul was the victim of a professional hit, ordered by one of his underworld rivals.
- Police say the Abutbuls are one of the most powerful families in Israeli organized crime. Abutbul ran the family business along with his brother Assi, who serving jail time for extortion, arson and unlawful imprisonment.The family patriarch, Felix, was assassinated in 2002 at a Prague casino.
The Abutbul family seems to share the notion and standing over the grave, they vowed to avenge their slain relative. The responsible party, one of them said, "Will pay for this crime by the end of the week, God willing," to which the crowd mumbled "Amen."- Abutbul suffered mortal wounds and was pronounced dead shortly afterwards at the Laniado Hospital in Netanya. One of Abutbul's bodyguards was lightly wounded in the shooting. No suspects have been arrested.
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