Arab Terrorist Convicted of Murdering US-Born Principal and 2 Israelis

By Jonathan Benedek/TPS

Jerusalem (TPS) – An Arab terrorist who carried out a combined shooting and stabbing attack on a Jerusalem city bus last October was convicted on Monday of murdering three Israelis.

The terrorist, Bilal Abu Ghanem, coordinated the attack with an accomplice who was shot and killed at the scene by security forces.

Among the three fatalities in the bus attack was Richard Lakin, a 76-year-old dual US-Israeli citizen who immigrated to Israel from New England with his wife and children 33 years ago, as well as Haviv Haim, 78, and Alon Govberg, 51.

Lakin had been a former educator and former principal at Hopewell Elementary School in Glastonbury, Connecticut. In 2007, Lakin wrote a book entitled, “Teaching as an Act of Love: Thoughts and Reflections of a Former Teacher, Principal and Kid.”

Lakin, who was shot in the head and stabbed several times, was provided with emergency treatment by Hadassah University Medical Center in Ein Kerem, Jerusalem. Despite receiving round-the-clock care for two weeks, Lakin passed away.

“Dad passed away this morning,” wrote one of Lakin’s children on October 27. “He was 76 years old, and had eight grandchildren.”

“After the attack, Dad was rushed to Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital in Jerusalem where the incredible medical staff worked diligently around the clock for two weeks trying to save his life, but, alas, his injuries were too severe,” the post continued. “Dad was unconscious and anesthetized during the entire two weeks, so he felt no pain.