The incident occurred during a family birthday gathering on Emek HaZeitim Street. Hillel Mordechai z”l and his 4-year-old cousin were rushed to Hadassah Ein Kerem, where doctors sadly pronounced Hillel Mordechai’s petirah. His young cousin received medical treatment and was reported in moderate condition.

Police arrested a 25-year-old neighborhood resident and are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.

ZAKA is assisting the family with arrangements for kevurah.

The tragedy has brought tremendous sadness to Beit Shemesh. Mayor Shmuel Greenberg expressed his condolences to the grieving family and called on the community to daven for the recovery of the injured child.